English for Btech students

http://btechenglish.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=16

Tips For Good Night

10 tips for good night's sleep
Stick to a schedule. Erratic bedtimes do not allow for your body to align to the proper circadian rhythms. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you’d wake later and feel overly tired.

Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.

Exercise. It’s actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.

Avoid eating just before bed. Avoid eat large meals or spicy foods before bedtime. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.

Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that’s now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.

Read a fiction book. It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?

Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you’re not going to require the heat all night long.

Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It’s a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.

The Six Keys to Success

The 6 Keys to Success
1. Attitude
Bloom where you are planted. You have a choice to get back up after temporary set backs. Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference!

2. Direction
If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Write your short term goals down on paper. I have discovered and continue to discover that putting your dreams and goals down on paper lock in or focus your belief that they can be achieved--even if you have to take a course correction in achieving your goals. Success comes in cans, failure comes in can'ts.

3. Values
Explore what is important to you. Maybe it is family, friends, your spirituality or working hard at any given task. I can assure you that your priorities will change as you grow older. Very important that you value yourself and treat yourself like the valuable gift from God that you are.

4. Interests
Birds of a feather flock together. This is to say that if you are hanging around winners or others with a "can do" mind-set, you'll likely adapt to this same kind of thinking. Remember--"SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES!

5. Commitment
Feelings may change, commitments do not. "Success is getting up one more time than you fall." I have often wanted to give up, and then I must think to myself about what the consequences of giving up will be. Generally, this is more than enough of a motivation to make us stick to the task at hand even if we don't feel like it. When the task is achieved, Whow!--IT FEELS GREAT!

6. Encouragement
Be an encourager and comforter to friends that are feeling discouraged. I promise that you will not regret this as you will be encouraged by one, if not many, when you are feeling down. Encouragement and love are contagious qualities that can change the minds of the most stubborn and "hard-to-get- along-with" people you know. I have seen it happen over and over again.

INTERVIEW SKILLS

S.Shaheen Taj
HOD (S&H Dept)
NIST

E Mail ID: taj.mam@gmail.com
shaheen_english2002@yahoo.com

http://knowledgeable-arts.blogspot.com/

INTERVIEW

Interviews are goal oriented. The objective of an interview is to gather details and information of the interviewee. Later the interviewer makes an assessment, appraisal about the suitability of the candidate for the post. Oxford Dictionary gives many descriptions about interview. It is a formal meeting at which somebody is asked questions to see if they are suitable for a particular job, or a course of study of a college, University etc. interviews have become an integrate part of social and business life. Interviews may be Public or Private, Formal or Informal, Social or Business, Personal or Telephonic and Career related.

Promotion Interview:
Interviews conducted by organizations for their own eligible employees for higher position is called Promotion Interview. Even in this interview, the candidates have to pass through several preliminary stages. They should have the minimum experience and also educational qualifications for the job vacancy. They should write a test and obtain the qualifying marks. There may be group discussions, medical tests, stress, etc. The candidates attending this interview should aim at scoring over competitors. They should approach the interview fully prepared and with the required seriousness. These interviews are conducted in-house hence are relatively less formal. But the candidate here, should not exhibit any undue familiarity with the interviewers. The candidates should be sincere ad truthful and should impress the officers. They are selected on the basis of their suitability, performance ad potential.

Exit Interview:
Exit interviews are conducted for those employees who are resigning or even retiring. They provide authentic and forthright feedback on the organizational culture, policies and practices, in order to bring about improvements. Specific and well thought out formats are designed to gather personal details, service and experience, reasons for leaving the job, comments on work atmosphere, policies and practices, and suggestions for improvement. Senior officer, executive or branch in charge conducts exit interview in a cordial manner. There should be no personal biases and a negative approach. The report is given to the appropriate authority within the organization for further organization.


Reprimand Interview:
A reprimand interview is conducted to express rebuke or disapproval. This interview is done in private. The erring employees or misbehaving persons are called by the superior or person in authority and advised to mend his behavior. In an organizational context, a reprimand interview would be appropriate in dealing with absentees, insubordination, inter-personal problems, poor performance and other such deficiencies. The objective is to ensure correction in behavior, attitude and performance.

Grievance Interview:
A grievance interview relates to face to face talk, where the aggrieved person gets an opportunity to meet a person in authority to share the distress and seek remedial action. The organization shows that it cares for the feeling of the employees, or customers by providing them such an opportunity. The interviewer uses placating skills to assuage hurt feelings, clear misconceptions and gather all the relevant facts. The skill of the interviewer lies in ensuring that at the end of the interview, the aggrieved person feels satisfied.

Stress Interview:
Stress interviews are conducted to assess the stress bearing capacity of the interviewee. Some of the examples where stress interview is necessary are, Security forces dealing with border evens, Police personnel responding to violent mobs are arson, industrial relations personnel in organizations dealing with militant unions, etc. Restraint, tact, temperamental strength, reasoning, level-headed approach and ability to withstand the aggressive posture and qualities assessed through such interviews.

Orientation interview:
Orientation interview focuses on the new entrant or a person new to the organization. It helps in acquainting that person with the prevailing situation or environment. The candidate is oriented towards the organization in a cordial manner. Orientation interviews are conducted after the selection interview. It is by way of appraisal or education, rather than assessment or evaluation. Apart from providing oral inputs during the interview, the interviewer may also provide relevant literature to the interviewer to facilitate smooth and quick orientation.

Job Interview:
Job interview constitutes a very vital aspect of the job selection process in any organization. Many times written tests and group discussions carry their own weightage but the performance of the candidate at the job interview makes the final selection. The preparation for any interview should start well in advance with the candidate collecting as much information as possible about the organization and the job profile. The candidate should anticipate and prepare for various types of questions that are likely to be asked by the interview panel. The candidate should avoid getting worked up about the interview. Keeping cool minded helps in being attentive and in responding effectively. Reaching the venue in time is very important. It helps the candidate to become familiar with the surroundings and avoid any kind of rushing and related apprehensions.
In any interview along with knowledge, appearance, body language and temperament of the candidate too play an important role. Proper dressing creates a positive impression. It adds to self confidence. Right posture, alert look, firm handshake, clear voice and other such aspects make a big difference. The candidate should build a rapport with the interview panel by looking confident, smiling, greeting, firm handshakes, proper mannerisms and responses. Questions should be answered confidently and truthfully avoiding long pauses.

The candidate should not offend the interviewer. The candidate should not brag. The candidate should avoid mouthing and pompous or boastful statements. He/She should not find favor with the interviewers. They should not over-state their achievements. They should not miss the right opportunity to mention their high points. Interviewer’s perspective is to be looked at. , understand the human dimension. The interviewers too are mixed lot of persons. The candidate should put himself in their shoes. One has to be distinctive, get notices and create an impression.


Telephonic Interview

The telephone is one of the most commonly used means of oral communication. It plays a vital role in today’s competitive business world. It is used to place and take orders, to exchange urgently needed information, to make appointments, to establish valuable business contacts, and numerous other things.

In a telephonic interview, the interviewer can only hear the candidate and cannot see the person. Good listening, clear accent, speaking slowly and intelligibly and good telephone manners would be particularly relevant.

Interviewer
Like the interviewee, the interviewer too must follow some basic rules. He should be well informed. He should do some homework and come prepared. He should understand the requirement of the particular role. He should put the candidate at ease. He should focus on testing the knowledge of the candidate not his ignorance. He should build up adequate stock of relevant questions and should develop good listening skills. In order to do justice to the interview process, the interviewers should talk to each other and finalize the selection of the suitable candidate. The interview panel has a significant role in ensuring that the entire process is completed with seriousness and dignity. The panel should be fair and merit should prevail.

Advantages of the telephone:
1. It saves time. It enables a person to have instantaneous communication.
2. It makes it possible to get immediate feedback.
3. Subtle modulations of voice make telephone communication more erective.
4. The telephone acts as a kind of equalizer by minimizing such influences as stem from personal appearance or the appearance of the office.
5. These days tele-banking and tele-contact services are gaining popularity. Tele-marketing and making sales calls on the telephone are becoming popular, especially in metro centers.


Disadvantages of the telephone:
1. Frustration is caused by telephone tag. Answering machine is found instead of the concerned person.
2. Communication is depended entirely on voices. No facial expressions and gestures are used to establish rapport.
3. If wrong numbers are contacted time as well as money is wasted. Moreover wrong numbers put the caller in a bad humour.
4. The messge cannot be studied again and again by the receiver. Hence there are greater chances of missing or mis interpreting something.
5. the caller may make a call when it is not welcome. His telephone call may catch a person when he is in a bad mood or is busy and cannot properly attend.

Effective us of the telephone:
1. Speak politely, confidently, and in a positive and friendly tone.
2. Have a message pad, pen, telephone directory and an appointments book near at hand.
3. While talking, hold the mouthpiece one inch away from the lips and the earpiece close to the ears.
4. Avoid mumbling, running words together or talking through the nose or teeth.
5. Don’t shout or don’t speak too low.
6. Don’t spend time in idle talk.
7. Treat every call as an important call. Make the caller feel that he is being given personal attention.
8. Introduce the company, the department, and even yourself when you pickup the receiver.
9. Say a pleasant “Good Morning” or “Good Evening”.
10. Listen carefully, without interrupting the caller.

Guidelines when making a call:
1. Prepare mentally before dialing the number. Note down important points on a piece of paper.
2. Dial the correct number carefully.
3. Before speaking to the receiver be sure that you have got the right person on the line.
4. Make your identity clearly known to the person at the other end.
5. Speak clearly and precisely.
6. Deliver all the details of the message and see that the message has been clearly and completely understood.
7. When the conversation is over, put the receiver gently.

Resume

RESUME, CV, COVER LETTER & CAREER PORTFOLIO
5 Key Concepts for Powerful, Effective Resumes
1. Your resume is YOUR marketing tool, not a personnel document.
2. It is about YOU the job hunter, not just about the jobs you've held.
3. It focuses on your future, not your past.
4. It emphasizes your accomplishments, not your past job duties or job descriptions.
5. It documents skills you enjoy using, not skills you used just because you had to.

10 Steps in Creating a Damn Good Resume
1. Choose a target job (also called a "job objective"). An actual job title works best.
2. Find out what skills, knowledge, and experience are needed to do that target job.
3. Make a list of your 2, 3, or 4 strongest skills or abilities or knowledge that make you a good candidate for the target job.
4. For each key skill, think of several accomplishments from your past work history that illustrate that skill.
5. Describe each accomplishment in a simple, powerful, action statement that emphasizes the results that benefited your employer.
6. Make a list of the primary jobs you've held, in chronological order. Include any unpaid work that fills a gap or that shows you have the skills for the job.
7. Make a list of your training and education that's related to the new job you want.
8. Choose a resume format that fits your situation--either chronological or functional. [Functional works best if you're changing fields; chronological works well if you're moving up in the same field.]
9. Arrange your action statements according to the format you choose.
10. Summarize your key points at the top of your resume.
Creating Your Technical Résumé
• Technical résumés may be one or two pages long. Employers want to see details about what you learned and how you applied the skills. They also want information about your work history, even if it was in a non-technical field.
• Objective statements are optional. They can help the employer determine which type of technical position(s) you seek. For the same reason, an objective statement can limit you. If you use an objective, keep it simple and straightforward. Example: Objective: Help Desk position or Objective: Entry-level Network Technician or Help Desk position
• Technical résumés always contain a section listing information technology skills (hardware, software, networking, Web, programming, etc.) For current students and recent graduates, it works well to place this first on the résumé.
• If you’ve done an internship, include it on the résumé, either in its own “Technical Internship” section or under your work history. Provide a detailed explanation of what you did. Your internship, even if unpaid, constitutes work experience.
• Include seven to ten years of your work history, even if it is unrelated. If you currently work in a technical field, put your work history near the beginning of the résumé. Otherwise, place it at the end after education and class projects. Emphasize skills that will transfer into your new position (i.e. communication skills, customer service, teamwork experience, writing, leadership).
• In the education section, describe your class projects (see page 10 for examples). Use verbs to start each phrase and give enough detail so the potential employer can picture what you accomplished. Since teamwork is an important part of today’s workplace, show your teamwork experience on class projects. Examples: Member of a Systems Analysis team that worked with a representative from the Maple Valley Clinic to outline system requirements for building a custom database. Or you can say, As part of a three-person team…or Served as team leader for….
• Show all of your technical experience, including such things as building or repairing computers for friends/relatives or creating Websites for friends or non-profit organizations. Unless you already have professional experience, it’s essential to demonstrate your skills through class projects and volunteer work.
• Ask yourself, How can I prove that I do good work? What evidence can I provide on my résumé? An example from a class might be: Received 4.0 in Visual Basic 6.0; coded final project in team atmosphere (60 hours a week for two weeks); one of three out of 30 students excused from taking the final due to extremely high point total.
• You can also demonstrate strengths by creating a “Testimonials” section at the end of the résumé and quoting one or two comments from instructors or past supervisors. Example: Sally has a knack for working with databases. She asks the right questions to get the information needed and then works hard to bring about results.
John Jasper, Internship Supervisor
• When applying for a Help Desk position, emphasize your interpersonal skills. If you have a customer service background, consider creating a separate section (after Technical Skills) to highlight your experience and talent for working with people.
Give the ASCII version of your résumé more visual appeal by creative use of capital letters, white space, asterisks, lines, and dashes.


EXAMPLES OF TECHNICAL SKILLS SECTIONS

Example: #1
SKILLS SUMMARY
Database Software/OS Networking
Oracle Administration DOS CCNA Certification
OCP Certification Windows 95/98/2000 CISCO Networking
Pl/SQL 2000 Office 2000 LAN Administration
Access 2000 Web Development Basic UNIX
Vision 2000 HTML Troubleshooting
Database Theory and Design Visual Basic 6.0 Quick Books Hardware upgradesInstallation of Software



Example #2
COMPUTER SKILLS
Networking: Certified in RJ-45, Category 5 installation; designed and set-up cost database for LAN (2 segments of 25 & 29 workstations); familiar with hubs, routers, bridges, servers, punch-down blocks, switches, patch panels, topologies, and all cabling.
Programming: Visual Basic 6.0
Hardware: Build PCs from parts; install peripherals and devices; familiar with oscilloscope, function generator, multimeter, and ammeter; Certified in Plated Through Hole and Surface Mount soldering; skilled at Logic Gates and IC technology; familiar with CMOS and Device Manager.
Software: Windows 95/98/2000; MS-DOS; Office 97 & 2000; Internet.


Example: #3
Computer Software & Operating Systems
Courses included: Litigation Practice, Real Estate and Property Law, Commercial Transactions, Evidence, Law Office Management, Interviewing and Investigation Techniques, Advanced Legal Writing and Research.
Microsoft Visual C/C++ 6.0 Cisco IOS 11.0
Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Windows NT 4.0, NetWare 5.0
Red Linus 6.1 MS Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint
Kernel 2.2.12 DOS Windows 9X Visio 2000
Cisco Config Maker 2.4


EXAMPLES OF CLASS PROJECTS

Example: #1
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
Visual Basic/C/C++ Certificate 3.9 GPA
• VB Projects: Mortgage Loan Calculator, “Craps” Dice Game, GPA Calculator
• C/C++ projects: Multiple Tuition Calculator using Input and Output Dababase Files
• Java Projects: Computer Science Department Web Pages, Multiple Table/Frame Home Site
• JavaScript Projects: DHTML Page with Image Rollover
• Technical Communication Project: As part of a two-person team, wrote 47-page employee manual for Entry Services Department at college. Information gathered through interviews with staff.

Example: #2
Edmonds Community College, Associate or Technical Arts, December 2001
Computer Information Systems, Networking Specialization
Three quarters of Cisco courses with hands-on experience including:
• Setting up LAN Hubs • Configuring Virtual LAN
• Installing Windows NT 4.0 • Installing Novell NetWare 5.0
• Configuring Cisco 1601, 2500 routers, subnetting a class B network
• Simulating LAN and WAN environment with 5 routers and two 1500 series switches
• Installing, configuring Linux 2.2, adding users, changing permissions

Example: #3
Associate of Technical Arts, Computer Information Systems, August 2001
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
• Working in teams, planned and executed several database systems and hardware requirements from the beginning to the SDLC to the final stages
• Setup, configured, and maintained a networked environment containing five routers and switches
• Team leader on the basic design of LAN – designed LAN for two campus buildings
• Team member for a Help Desk Staff of five students – provided technical support for 40+ computers and users, simulating real-world operational problems



Last updated: 08/24/06

Technical Resume Sample

CONNIE A. TECHWIZARD
9999 CIS Lane, Edmonds, WA 98036 ■ 425-111-1111 ■ ctechwiz@hotmail.com
SKILLS SUMMARY
Database Software/OS Networking
Oracle Administration DOS CCNA Certification
OCP Certification Windows 95/98/2000 CISCO Networking
Pl/SQL 2000 Office 2000 LAN Administration
Access 2000 Web Development Basic UNIX
Vision 2000 HTML Troubleshooting
Database Theory and Design Visual Basic 6.0
Quick Books Hardware upgrades
Installation of Software
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
• 10 years of Customer Service Experience
• Highly skilled in dealing with difficult and angry customers
• Accustomed to working in a team environment
• Experienced working with a diverse customer base
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Computer Lab Assistant, Academic Computer Services
Edmonds Community College 2000-date
• Provided hardware/software support for 125 computers and workstations
• Installed and networked computers in classrooms (30+ computers)
• Provided technical support for students using Access, Excel, Word, VB
• Tested software
EDUCATION
Associate of Technical Arts, Computer Information Systems, August 2001
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
• Working in teams, planned and executed several database systems and hardware requirements from the beginning to the SDLC to the final stages
• Setup, configured, and maintained a networked environment containing five routers and switches
• Team leader on the basic design of LAN – designed LAN for two campus buildings
• Team member for a Help Desk Staff of five students – provided technical support for 40+ computers and users, simulating real-world operational problems
• Designed, implemented and tested a database in Access 2000
• Served on a six-person team that created a prototype database for the Point Defiance Zoo
• VB Projects: Mortgage Loan Calculator, “Craps” Dice Game, GPA Calculator, Check Register
• Designed a Web site with 22 pages for an online PC Software Support class
WORK HISTORY
Teller/Customer Service Representative
Bank of America, Seattle, WA 1994-1999
• Greeted customer and took care of financial transactions
• Sold financial services to customers
• Balanced cash and transactions daily
• Handled upset and angry customers with patience and poise
Reservations Agent
Alaska Airlines, Seattle, WA 1989-1994
• As part of a customer services team, responded to incoming phone requests for airline reservations
• Responded to customer requests for information
• Resolved customer problems tactfully
• Handled large volume to incoming calls (more than 30 per hour)




A Guide to the Preparation of a Technical Resume
A resume should be a focused summary of the qualifications, skills and experiences you have to offer a potential employer. It should be brief and easy to read, contain concise action phrases rather than complete sentences and reflect balanced use of blank space and margins. Context should be void of personal pronouns.
The resume is a screening device, not a selection device. Each year, companies pass over thousands of qualified applicants who failed to make sure they made the first impression a good one. You can avoid this pitfall by organizing a thorough, meaningful resume.
The resume is your personal document. It should be designed not only to give factual information about you, but to create a specific impression-an impression of how desirable a candidate you are-to motivate an employer to interview you or take another step toward your employment. The resume will not get you a job; its purpose is only to get you off on the right foot. It is a tool that you must learn to use.
There are but a few hard and fast rules: the resume should be neat and well organized, and it should reflect your background in the most positive way. Neat/well-organized - It is always typed, generally printed on quality paper of a conservative color with no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure you space it well so it is visually attractive. Positive - Every concept in the resume should be rank-ordered from most important to least important. State your strongest points first and save less important facts for last.
GETTING STARTED
Preparing a resume will help to organize your job campaign. It will start you thinking systematically about your qualifications. A thorough awareness of your skills and abilities will increase your self-confidence as you approach employers.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Identification
• Full name, address, telephone number, e-mail address
Job Objective
• Clearly defined. A statement that tells the reader you are not looking for just anything that might come along
Educational Background
• Detailed information about your education is most important
• Include degrees earned, beginning with most advanced degree
• List major subject and include kinds of courses taken
• Specialized course work
Work Experience
• Emphasize skills gained, contributions made, promotions earned
• Summer or part-time jobs held
Professional Development
• Memberships in professional organizations, published books and articles, presentations of papers, inventions or patents
Extracurricular Activities
• Affiliation with social organizations or community projects
• Include club memberships, awards, and honors
Selected Personal Data
• Hobbies, pastimes and interests can add character and may show signs of leadership and community service
Special Skills
• List those languages you speak well
• List computer languages learned/hardware with which you are familiar
• Laboratory equipment/techniques
References
• Simply state that references will be furnished upon request (be sure to request permission before using anyone as a reference)
TYPES OF RESUMES
The various forms of the resume all include your education and experience, but may present the material in different ways.
Chronological: This resume form is the most widely used by job applicants and the most accepted by employers. The arrangement of information is the easiest to follow. Your experience is outlined in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent or current position followed by earlier positions. This format is advantageous when you have held a series of progressively more responsible jobs. The challenge in this approach is to write more than a simple fact sheet.
Functional: This resume focuses on performance and activities, minimizing job titles and employers. The intention is to highlight your most important job functions regardless of actual employment chronology. This is particularly effective for describing positions in which you performed several functions or had frequent changes of assignment in each job. This format is also good for job changers who may want to minimize job titles and emphasize the diversity of their skills.
Analytical: This form combines features of both the chronological and the functional resumes. You outline the major fields of ability and list your specific experience with each.

Who Needs a Cover Letter?
Everyone who sends out a resume does! Even if the cover letter never "came up" in conversation or wasn't mentioned in an advertisement, it's expected that you will write one.
It is regarded as a sign of laziness (sorry about that) to send out a cover letter that is not tailored to the specific company. In the days before word processors, you could maybe get away with it. Not anymore. (Electra must be emphatic: Not anymore.)
Yes, it adds to the wear and tear of looking for a job! But the good news is: the cover letter gives you another chance to emphasize what you have to contribute to the company or organization. Don't give the person screening the resumes a second to entertain the thought: "But how can this person help US?" Your cover letter will answer that question in your own words. Your resume will also answer that question but in a somewhat more rigid format.
What makes a Good Cover Letter?
1. No spelling or typing errors. Not even one.
2. Address it to the person who can hire you. Resumes sent to the personnel department have a tougher time of it. If you can find out (through networking and researching) exactly who is making the hiring decision, address the letter to that person. Be sure the name is spelled correctly and the title is correct. A touch of formality is good too: address the person as "Mr.," "Ms.," "Mrs.," "Miss," "Dr.," or "Professor." (Yes, life is complicated.)
3. Write it in your own words so that it sounds like you--not like something out of a book. (Electra gets in trouble with libraries when she says things like this.) Employers are looking for knowledge, enthusiasm, focus.
4. Being "natural" makes many people nervous. And then even more nervous because they are trying to avoid spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. If you need a little help with grammar (do they still teach grammar?)--check out the classic work on simple writing, Strunk & White's Elements of Style, published in 1918 and now online. A good place to begin is "Chapter 5: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused."
5. Show that you know something about the company and the industry. This is where your research comes in. Don't go overboard--just make it clear that you didn't pick this company out of the phone book. You know who they are, what they do and you have chosen them!
6. Use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employer. (This is where your industry research and networking come in.) If you are applying for an advertised position, use the requirements in the ad and put them in BOLD type. For example: the ad says--
"2 years' experience processing magnetic media (cartridge, tape, disc); interface with benefit plan design, contracts and claims; and business background with strong analytical & technical skills--dBase, Excel, R&R, SQL."
Make sure your cover letter contains each of these requirements and shows how you measure up.

Your name
Mailing address
City, state, and zip
Telephone number(s)
Email address
Today’s date


Your addressee’s name
Professional title
Organization name
Mailing address
City, state and zip


Dear Mr. (or Ms.) last name,

Start your letter with a grabber—a statement that establishes a connection with your reader, a probing question, or a quotable quote. Briefly say what job you are applying for.

The mid-section of your letter should be one or two short paragraphs that make relevant points about your qualifications. You should not summarize your resume! You may incorporate a column or bullet point format here.

Your last paragraph should initiate action by explaining what you will do next (e.g., call the employer) or instigate the reader to contact you to set up an interview. Close by saying “thank you.”

Sincerely yours,
Your handwritten signature
Your name (typed)

Enclosure: resume
Résumé
A résumé, also spelled resumé or resume; also called curriculum vitae or CV, is a document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education. The résumé or CV is typically the first item that a potential employer encounters regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview, when seeking employment.
General
In many contexts, a résumé or CV is short (usually one page), and therefore contains only experience directly relevant to a particular position. Many résumés contain precise keywords that the potential employers are looking for, make heavy use of active verbs, and display content in a flattering manner.
In the past, résumés/CVs used to be no longer than two pages, as potential employers typically did not devote much time to reading résumé details for each applicant. In some countries employers have changed their views regarding acceptable résumé length. Since increasing numbers of job seekers and employers are using Internet-based job search engines to find and fill employment positions, longer résumés/CVs are needed for applicants to differentiate and distinguish themselves. Since the late 1990s, some employers have been more accepting of résumés that are longer than two pages, but not those in Australia. Many professional résumé writers and human resources professionals believe that a résumé/CV should be long enough so that it provides a concise, adequate, and accurate description of an applicant's employment history and skills. The transmission of résumés/CVs directly to employers became increasingly popular as late as 2002. Jobseekers were able to circumvent the job application process and reach employers through direct email contact and résumé blasting, a term meaning the mass distribution of résumés/CVs to increase personal visibility within the job market. However the mass distribution of résumés/CVs to employers often can have a negative effect on the applicant's chances of securing employment as the résumés/CVs tend not to be tailored for the specific positions the applicant is applying for. It is usually therefore more sensible to adjust the résumé/CV for each position applied for.
The complexity and simplicity of various résumé/CV formats tends to produce results that vary from person to person, occupation, and industry. It is important to note that résumés/CV used by medical professionals, professors, artists and people in many other specialized fields may be comparatively longer. For example, an artist's résumé/CV, typically excluding any non-art-related employment, may include extensive lists of solo and group exhibitions.
Terminology
Curriculum vitae is Latin meaning "course of life" and résumé is French meaning "summary". In the business world, the word résumé (also spelled resumé and resume) is used especially in the United States and in English Canada. Curriculum vitae and "CV" are used in the United Kingdom in all contexts, with résumé having very little currency.
In North America, Australia, and India the terms "résumé" and "CV" may be used interchangeably. However, a résumé more often has a free-form organizational style and is used for seeking employment in the private sector, whereas a curriculum vitae (also called a vita, but not curriculum vita, see below) usually has a more standardized look and format for the purpose of seeking positions in academic or educational institutions. Another difference is that a résumé tends to be more descriptive and tailored for a specific purpose or target audience, whereas a curriculum vitae tends to be organized in a way that presents data about one's self in a compact fashion, with a clear chronology. For example, a résumé may begin with a statement about a personal goal, followed by a list of most significant accomplishments or characteristics in order of significance, while a curriculum vitae often includes complete and unembellished lists of data such as educational institutions attended, degrees received, positions held, professional affiliations, publications authored, etc. A résumé may or may not be represented by the person as a complete history of themselves without omission, whereas a curriculum vitae usually implies that there are no omissions, and in particular, no temporal gaps.
The term curriculum vitae means "course of life" in Latin. While it is appropriate to write either curriculum vitae or just vita, it is incorrect to use the phrase curriculum vita, the form vitae being the genitive of vita. The plural of curriculum vitae is curricula vitae.
Styles
A simple résumé is a summary typically limited to one or two pages of size A4 or Letter-size highlighting only those experiences and credentials that the author considers most relevant to the desired position. CVs are typically longer.
Résumés may be organized in different ways:
Chronological résumé
A chronological résumé enumerates a candidate's job experiences in reverse chronological order.
The chronological résumé format is the most common résumé layout in use. In using this format, the main body of the document becomes the Professional Experience section, starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards through a succession of previous experience. The chronological résumé works to build credibility through experience gained, while illustrating career growth over time. In the United Kingdom the chronological résumé tends to extend only as far back as the subject's GCSE/Standard Grade qualifications.
Functional résumé
A functional résumé lists work experience and skills sorted by skill area or job function.The functional résumé is used to assert a focus to skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological résumé format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. The functional résumé works well for those making a career change, having a varied work history and with little work experience. A functional résumé is also preferred for applications to jobs that require a very specific skill set or clearly defined personality traits.
Combination résumé
The combination résumé balances the functional and chronological approaches. A résumé organized this way typically leads with a functional list of job skills, followed by a chronological list of employers. The combination résumé has a tendency to repeat itself and is therefore less widely utilized than the other two forms.


Curriculum vitae
In the United States and Canada, a CV is expected to include a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of employment, academic credential, publication, contribution or significant achievement. In certain professions, it may even include samples of the person's work and may run to many pages.
In the European Union, there has been an attempt to develop a standardised CV model known as Europass (in 2004 by the European Parliament and European Commission) and promoted by the EU to ease skilled migration between member countries, although this is not widely used in most contexts.
A standard British CV might have the following points[1]
• Personal details at the top, such as name in bold type, address, contact numbers and, if the subject has one, an e-mail address. Photos are not required at all, unless requested. Modern CVs are more flexible.
• A personal profile, written in either the first or the third person, a short paragraph about the job seeker. This should be purely factual, and free of any opinion about the writer's qualities such as "enthusiastic", "highly motivated", etc.
• A bulleted list of the job seeker's key skills or rather, professional assets - skills alone are somewhat unsophisticated
• A reverse chronological list of the job seeker's work experience, including his or her current role. The CV should account for the writer's entire career history. The career history section should describe achievements rather than duties. The early career can these days be lumped together in a short summary but recent jobs should illustrate concept, planning, achievement, roles.
• A reverse chronological list of the job seeker's education or training, including a list of his or her qualifications such as his or her academic qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels, Highers, degrees etc.) and his or her professional qualifications (NVQs and memberships of professional organisations etc.). If the job seeker has just left the place of education, the work experience and education are reversed.
• Date of birth, gender if you have an ambiguous first name, whether you have a driving licence used to be standard - but nothing is required and you should not waste space on trivia. An employer requesting date of birth and gender needlessly could find itself on the losing side of recent anti-discrimination legislation.
• The job seeker's hobbies and interests (optional)
It is obligatory for it to be typed or word-processed, not hand-written.
There are certain faux pas for CVs:
• The CV being longer than two full sides of A4 paper. (This rule does not apply to academic positions, for which the CV normally includes a complete list of publications and major conference papers. CVs for positions in postsecondary teaching, research, and academic administration may be of any length.)
• Writing anything pejorative about other persons or businesses.[2]
• If applying for a specific position, omitting a covering letter explaining one's suitability.
CVs should be purely factual without implying skills which do not exist.
As with résumés, CVs are subject to recruiting fads. For example,
• In German-speaking countries, a picture was a mandatory adjunct to the CV for a long time.
• In the huge Indian job market, photos and good looks are strongly preferred in the service industry (hotels, aviation, etc.) and in sales-marketing, front office and customer service jobs. Additionally, Indian employers prefer lengthy résumés.
• Including a photograph of the applicant is strongly discouraged in the U.S. as it would suggest that an employer would discriminate on the basis of a person's appearance — age, race, sex, attractiveness, or the like. The theatre and modeling industries are exceptions, where it is expected that résumés will include photographs; actors refer to such photos as head shots.
• When listing non-academic employment in the U.S., the newest entries generally come first (reverse chronological).
• The use of an "objective statement" at the top of the document (such as "Looking for an entry-level position in stores") was strongly encouraged in the U.S. during the mid-1990s but fell out of favor by the late-1990s. However, with the avalanche of résumés distributed via the Internet since the late 1990s, an "objective" and/or "skills summary" statement has become more common to help recruiters quickly determine the applicant's suitability. It is not prevalent elsewhere.
• A profiling statement (or thumbnail description) was a protocol developed by placement agencies in the late 1980s. Many candidates now open their CV with such a statement. This can be a short paragraph or a handful of bullet points delineating the candidate's most desirable skills and experiences.
• Listing of computer skills (such as proficiency with word processing software) was a strong differentiator during the 1980s but was considered passé for most professional positions by the 1990s.
• In the 1980s and early 1990s in the U.S., the trend was to not allow a résumé to exceed one page in length. In the late 1990s, this restriction fell out of vogue, with two- or even three-page résumés becoming common.
Online résumés
The Internet has brought about a new age for the résumé. As the search for employment has become more electronic, résumés have followed suit. It is not uncommon for employers to only accept résumés electronically, either out of practicality or preference. This electronic boom has changed much about the way résumés are written, read, and handled.
• Job seekers must choose a file format in which to maintain their résumé. Many employers, especially recruitment agencies on their behalf, insist on receiving résumés only as Microsoft Word documents. Others will only accept résumés formatted in HTML, PDF, or plain ASCII text.
• Many potential employers now find candidates' résumés through search engines, which makes it more important for candidates to use appropriate keywords when writing a résumé.
• Including an e-mail address in an online résumé may expose the job seeker to spam (see Spambot).
Some career fields include a special section listing the life-long works of the author. For computer-related fields, the softography; for musicians and composers, the discography; for actors, a filmography.
Keeping résumés online has become increasingly common for people in professions that benefit from the multimedia and rich detail that are offered by an HTML résumé, such as actors, photographers, graphic designers, developers, dancers, etc.
Job seekers are finding an ever increasing demand to have an electronic version of their résumé available to employers and professionals who use Internet recruiting at any time. Internet résumés differ from conventional résumés in that they are comprehensive and allow for self-reflection. Unlike regular 2 page résumés, which only show recent work experience and education, Internet résumés also show an individual's skill development over his or her career.
For job seekers, taking résumés online also facilitates distribution to multiple employers via Internet. Online résumé distribution services have emerged to allow job seekers to distribute their résumés to employers of their choices via email.
Another advantage to internet résumés is the significant cost savings over traditional hiring methods. The Employment Management Association has included internet advertising in its cost-per-hire surveys for several years. In 1997, for example, it reported that the average cost-per-hire for a print ad was $3,295, while the average cost-per-hire with the Internet was $377.[3] This in turn has cut costs for many growing organizations, as well as saving time and energy in recruitment. Until the development of résumés in an electronic format, employers would have to sort through massive stacks of paper to find suitable candidates without any way of filtering out the poor candidates. Employers are now able to set search parameters in their database of résumés to reduce the number of résumés which must be reviewed in detail in the search for the ideal candidate.
Finally, the internet is enabling new technologies to be employed with résumés, such as video résumés--especially popular for multimedia job seekers. Another emerging technology is graphic-enabled résumés, such as Visual CV. [4]
When applying for a job or submitting a resume blindly to a company, you should always include a cover letter. You can submit the cover letter along with the resume in person, by mail, e-mail or even post it to an Internet job board
Cover letters are used to introduce yourself and your resume, while clearly stating your desire to apply for a job position in a new company or make yourself available for a job position within a company. The cover letter is the formal introduction that provides a brief explanation of your job field, experience, areas of expertise and relevant knowledge in relationship to the job being applied for. The cover letter should highlight key points in the resume and specifically should address all items within the summary of your resume.
The cover letter writing articles below provide helpful tips, advice and guidelines for developing a professional quality cover letter. All content has been provided by industry leading professional resume
and cove letter writers. You can visit our sponsor sites for more information on their background, publications and services offered.
Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace



by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
An old job-hunting tool is making a big comeback. For years, graphic artists, journalists, teachers, and other creative types have used career
portfolios while job-hunting, but it is only recently that the idea has caught on for all types of job-seekers.
What is a job skills, job-search, or career portfolio? It is a job-hunting tool that you develop that gives employers a complete picture of who you are -– your experience, your education, your accomplishments, your skill sets -– and what you have the potential to become -– much more than just a cover letter and resume
can provide. You can use your career portfolio in job interviews to showcase a point, to illustrate the depth of your skills and experience, or to use as a tool to get a second interview.
This article will show you how to develop your job-search portfolio, key elements to consider in developing your job-search portfolio, and the best resources to explore job-search portfolios in more depth.
Your biggest time commitment will be the initial development of your portfolio, but once you've developed it, keeping it current and up-to-date should be fairly easy. Your two biggest decisions in developing your portfolio are determining the format of the portfolio and the organization of the portfolio.
Most experts agree that the portfolio should be kept in a professional three-ring binder (zipper closure optional). You should include a table of contents and use some kind of system -– such as tabs or dividers -– to separate the various parts of the portfolio.
Besides the traditional portfolio, if you have access to space on a Web site, you should also consider developing an online Web-based portfolio.
Once the development is complete, you then have to gather, write, copy, and assemble the material that goes in the portfolio. This process will not only result in a professional portfolio, but should help you be better prepared for your job search.
So, what types of things go in a portfolio? Here are the basic categories. Don't feel you need to use these exact ones for your portfolio. The key to remember as you contemplate these items is that you want to give reasons for the employer to hire you -- you want to showcase your education and work experience by showing examples and evidence of your work, skills, and accomplishments.
1. Career Summary and Goals: A description of what you stand for (such as work ethic, organizational interests, management philosophy, etc.) and where you see yourself in two to five years.
2. Professional Philosophy/Mission Statement: A short description of the guiding principles that drive you and give you purpose. Read more in our article, Using a Personal Mission Statement to Chart Your Career Course.
3. Traditional Resume: A summary of your education, achievements, and work experience, using a chronological or functional format. If you need help developing a resume, visit Quintessential Careers: Fundamentals of a Good Resume.
4. Scannable/Text-Based Resume: A text-only version of your resume should also be included. More information about this type of resume can be found at: Quintessential Careers: Scannable Resume Fundamentals.
5. Skills, Abilities and Marketable Qualities: A detailed examination of your skills and experience. This section should include the name of the skill area; the performance or behavior, knowledge, or personal traits that contribute to your success in that skill area; your background and specific experiences that demonstrate your application of the skill.
6. List of Accomplishments: A detailed listing that highlights the major accomplishments in your career to date. Accomplishments are one of the most important elements of any good job-search. Read more in our article, For Job-Hunting Success: Track and Leverage Your Accomplishments.
7. Samples of Your Work: A sampling of your best work, including reports, papers, studies, brochures, projects, presentations, etc. Besides print samples, you can also include CD-ROMs, videos, and other multimedia formats.
8. Research, Publications, Reports: A way to showcase multiple skills, including your written communications abilities. Include any published papers and conference proceedings.
9. Testimonials and Letters of Recommendations: A collection of any kudos you have received -– from customers, clients, colleagues, past employers, professors, etc. Some experts even suggest including copies of favorable employer evaluations and reviews.
10. Awards and Honors: A collection of any certificates of awards, honors, and scholarships.
11. Conference and Workshops: A list of conferences, seminars, and workshops you've participated in and/or attended.
12. Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications: A description of relevant courses, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
13. Professional Development Activities: A listing of professional associations and conferences attended -- and any other professional development activities.
14. Military records, awards, and badges: A listing of your military service, if applicable.
15. Volunteering/Community Service: A description of any community service activities, volunteer or pro bono work you have completed, especially as it relates to your career.
16. References List: A list of three to five people (including full names, titles, addresses, and phone/email) who are willing to speak about your strengths, abilities, and experience. At least one reference should be a former manager. Read more in our article: The Keys to Choosing and Using the Best Job References in Your Job Search.
And remember . . . once you've created your job search portfolio, be sure to take it with you to all interviews and use it as a tool to getting job offers.
.
I. LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
A well-written introduction is an important requirement of the Career Portfolio. This letter introduces you to prospective employers and colleges. It should be both personal and informative and spotlight your best work. A letter of introduction serves as a first impression. It is critical that you address—
Why you are interested in this position/business/college (if you do not have a particular
position/business/college in mind, choose one that might interest you).
Your career aspirations and goals.
The skills and abilities that would make you successful in a particular career or at a
particular college.
Why this business or college should select you.
This letter should be no longer than one (1) single-spaced, typewritten page. Be sure that it is typed neatly and is both grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.

Preparing a Resume
A resume is a summary of a person’s qualifications. Effective resumes use short statements to inform potential interviewers about important facts regarding the applicant and to catch their attention. The important facts:
Who you are.
How you may be contacted (mail, telephone, e-mail).
Your experiences, skills, and abilities for the position.
Think about yourself. What skills do you have? What should a potential interviewer know about you? What achievement(s) could you highlight to help you get the interview?
Draft a resume. Each resume should be personal and reflect your individual strengths. Basic guidelines for an effective resume:
Type and spell-check it.
Have another person proofread it.
Make it look professional.
Make it short--one page if possible.
Omit personal pronouns.
Use action verbs when describing your job responsibilities.
Sample Resume
JESSICA NADEAU
42 Washington Avenue
Auburn, Maine 04240
(207) 555-5555
jnadeau@emailaddress.com
Career Objective: Computer support technician in central Maine
Education: High School Diploma, June 2002
Edward Little High School, Auburn Heights, Auburn, ME 04210
G.P.A. 3.2 Class Rank: 45 out of 411
Honors and Awards:
Honor Roll for last three semesters
Perfect Attendance Award for the last two academic years
Relevant Courses:
Introduction to Computer Repair I Introduction to BASIC
Database & Spreadsheets Word Processing I
Computer Experience: Neighborhood "Computer Expert" - 2001-present. Performed
troubleshooting for several friends and relatives who were having difficulty
with their hardware or software.
Network Assistant {volunteer) - Edward Little High School.
September 2001-May 2002. Assembled 20 computers for new computer
laboratory, loaded software on each one, and networked them.
Other Experience: Waitperson, Rolandeau's, Auburn, Maine. Summer 2001.
Provided efficient, friendly, quality service in busy fine dining atmosphere.
Child care provider - Freeport. Maine. Summer 200. Provided safe, warm
environment for two children aged 4 and 7. Supervised their self-directed
play and prepared meals and snacks.
Activities: Soccer Team - 1998-2002 - Co-captain 2000-2002
Civil Rights Team - 2002
Soup Kitchen Volunteer - 1999-2001
[Remove this page once the section is complete.]

SAMPLES OF WORK
Your portfolio should include samples of your work. You are responsible for selecting and gathering these samples. Choose samples of which you are proud—work that shows care and planning. This section of the portfolio demonstrates what you can do and how well you can do it.
Wherever possible, choose samples that display skills appropriate to the position for which you are applying.
Samples of work that are three-dimensional and cannot be placed in the binder may accompany the portfolio. However, instead of the sample itself, your portfolio can include a photograph and a note explaining the physical item. Please also include notes where necessary to explain a little about when, why, and for whom a project was completed. If you were responsible for only part of the project, explain your contribution.
Possible examples of academic work:
Research papers, book reports, essays
Math projects
Science projects
Exams that show achievement
Computer projects
Mechanical/technical drawings
Other samples of work:
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to personal interests and hobbies (i.e., photography, poetry, cooking, woodworking, etc.)
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to community involvement outside of school (i.e., Scouts, religious organizations, 4-H, etc.)

Interview : Important questions and answers

Interview Questions and Answers
Tell me about yourself:
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short
statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound
rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise.
Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to
the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest
back and work up to the present.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major
problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers
or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep
smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an
opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking
reasons.
3. What experience do you have in this field?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for.
If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
4. Do you consider yourself successful?
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good
explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are
on track to achieve the others.
5. What do co-workers say about you?
Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific
statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith
Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It
is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.
6. What do you know about this organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization
before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are
going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?
7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide
variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement.
Have some good ones handy to mention.
8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus
on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is
a distraction.
9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the
research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely
important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term
career goals.
10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This
can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not
relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought
of.
11. What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if
you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like,
That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?
In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not,
say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide
range.
12. Are you a team player?
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready.
Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather
than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag,
just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I’d like
it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I’m doing a good job.
14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you
like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the
right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the
individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the
organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in
force.
15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here.
Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That’s the
type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a
benefit to the organization.
16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type
of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying
negative things about the people or organization involved.
18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to
highlight your best points as they relate to the position being
discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.
19. Why should we hire you?
Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not
mention any other candidates to make a comparison.
20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made
Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted
and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work
applied for is a real plus.
21. What irritates you about co-workers?
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with
anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get
along with folks is great.
22. What is your greatest strength?
Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples:
Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability
to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your
professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude
23. Tell me about your dream job.
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you
are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another
job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with
this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something
like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and
can’t wait to get to work.
24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.
25. What are you looking for in a job?
See answer # 23
26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization,
violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will
label you as a whiner.
27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is
no better answer.
28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities:
Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise,
Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver
29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of
your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former
boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and
develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
30. What has disappointed you about a job?
Don’t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:
Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did
not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.
31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an
example that relates to the type of position applied for.
32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want
another job more than this one.
33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are:
Challenge, Achievement, Recognition
34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
Several ways are good measures:
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a
success.Your boss tell you that you are successful
36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if
you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get
the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems
later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself
future grief.
37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about
the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
38. Describe your management style.
Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive,
salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions
depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational
style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the
situation, instead of one size fits all.
39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make
it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An
example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and
thus throwing coordination off.
40. Do you have any blind spots?
Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind
spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do
their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.
41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well
qualified for the position.
43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about,
bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working
quick learner.
44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of
humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All
bosses think they have these traits.
45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique
and not the dispute you settled.
46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
47. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to
get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.
48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show
acceptance and no negative feelings.
49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
50. Do you have any questions for me?
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are
examples.
Interview Dos
Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.
Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest room to freshen up, etc.
Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time.
Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited during hiring decisions.
Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer.
Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation.
Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name, until invited to do otherwise.
Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.
Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever possible.
Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question.
Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.
Be honest and be yourself. Dishonesty gets discovered and is grounds for withdrawing job offers and for firing. You want a good match between yourself and your employer. If you get hired by acting like someone other than yourself, you and your employer will both be unhappy.
Treat the interview seriously and as though you are truly interested in the employer and the opportunity presented.
Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.
Have intelligent questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Having done your research about the employer in advance, ask questions which you did not find answered in your research.
Evaluate the interviewer and the organization s/he represents. An interview is a two-way street. Conduct yourself cordially and respectfully, while thinking critically about the way you are treated and the values and priorities of the organization.
Do expect to be treated appropriately. If you believe you were treated inappropriately or asked questions that were inappropriate or made you uncomfortable, discuss this with a Career Services advisor or the director.
Make sure you understand the employer's next step in the hiring process; know when and from whom you should expect to hear next. Know what action you are expected to take next, if any.
When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. Depart gracefully.
After the interview, make notes right away so you don't forget critical details. Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.
Interview DON'Ts
Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).
Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice. This is an insult to the interviewer and to the organization.
Don't give the impression that you are only interested in an organization because of its geographic location.
Don't give the impression you are only interested in salary; don't ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your interviewer.
Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
Don't make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the interviewer's job to act as a career advisor to you.
Don't be unprepared for typical interview questions. You may not be asked all of them in every interview, but being unprepared looks foolish.
A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; don't exhibit frustrations or a negative attitude in an interview.
Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
Don't assume that a female interviewer is "Mrs." or "Miss." Address her as "Ms." unless told otherwise. Her marital status is irrelevant to the purpose of the interview.
Don't chew gum or smell like smoke.
Don't allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don't take a cell phone call.
Don't take your parents, your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet in this circumstance), spouse, fiance, friends or enemies to an interview. If you are not grown up and independent enough to attend an interview alone, you're insufficiently grown up and independent for a job. (They can certainly visit your new city, at their own expense, but cannot attend your inter


What your clothes say about you • In an interview your attire plays a supporting role. • Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to articulate intelligent and well thought out responses to questions are the most important elements. • Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry in which you are trying to become employed. • Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and image presented to the customer is critical. In such industries, your attire will be judged more critically. • Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage. • If you are primarily remembered for your interview attire, this is probably because you made an error in judgment! • Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to. • Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress up for the interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer. • Never confuse an interview or business function with a social event. Don't dress for a party or a date. • Not every contact with an employer requires interview attire. For some occasions business casual is appropriate. See business casual for when to wear it and what it is. Interview attire guidelines for men and women • Suit:
A two piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice. • But what if the job is in a non-suit-wearing work environment:
Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, or the work environment is outdoors and very non-suit, wearing a suit to the interview shows you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting. Dressing well is a compliment to the person(s) with whom you meet. If you think the industry in which you're interviewing would frown on a suit, or the interview will involve going to a work site where a suit would be inappropriate, look for advice through professional organizations, your professors who have been employed in that industry, and/or by asking the employer directly and politely. • Conservative colors / fabric:
Navy, dark gray (and black for women) — are safe.
Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes.
Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids (the kind that look solid across a room) are safest.
Wool, wool blends, or good quality micro fiber for women only, are generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid acetate / rayon blends. • Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt/blouse tie/accessories. • Details:
Everything should be clean and well pressed.
Carefully inspect clothes for tags, dangling threads, etc. Additional interview attire specifics for men • Suit:
A two-piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice. Don't combine a suit jacket with pants that don't match. • Conservative colors / fabric:
Navy and dark gray are safe and are the most conservative for men. Black for men was once considered severe or overly formal, and may still be considered so in very conservative industries, although it is commonly worn by many. Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. Choose a solid or very subtle weave pattern or plaid (the kind that look solid across a room). Wool, wool blends, or very high quality blends with natural fiber, are the only acceptable fabrics for a conservative men's suit. • Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt and tie. • Ties:
Tie styles come and go. Select good quality silk ties.
Avoid fashion extremes, like character ties, in interviews.
Notice what men in your industry wear on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, when they meet with clients. • Shirts:
Long-sleeved shirts, even in summer. Choose white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes. • Socks:
Dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down. • Shoes:
Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes, preferably black or cordovan. Invest in a good pair; even if you don't wear them daily on the job, you'll need them for other occasions and you should expect to get lots of years out of good shoes. • Belt:
Black or cordovan leather, to match your shoes. • Facial hair:
If worn, should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are unsure what's appropriate or are considering changing your look. • Jewelry:
Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable. • Details:
Everything should be clean and well pressed. Suits typically have tacking stitches to hold vents — on the jacket back and on sleeves — in place before the garment is purchased. Cut them off if your retailer / tailor doesn't. And that tag stitched on the outside of your sleeve is not meant to stay there like a Tommy Hilfiger label — cut it off! Carefully inspect clothes dangling threads, etc. Additional interview attire specifics for women • Don't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn't wear it in a business environment. • Suit:
Wear a two-piece matched suit. • Suit - pants / skirts:
Tailored pants suits are appropriate for women. Pants suits can be an excellent choice for site visits, particularly if the visit involves getting in and out of vehicles and/or the site is (or includes) a manufacturing plant or industrial facility. If you wear pants, they should be creased and tailored, not tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc. • Skirt lengths:
Much of what you see on television shows that masquerades for professional attire is actually inappropriate for a work environment. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated. Showing a lot of thigh makes you look naive at best, foolish at worst. A skirt that ends at the knee when you're standing looks chic and professional. Longer skirts are professional too; just make sure they are narrow enough not to be billowing, but not so narrow that you can't climb stairs comfortably. Don't purchase a skirt or decide on a hem length until you sit in the skirt facing a mirror. That's what your interviewer will see. Ask yourself whether it will be distracting or reinforce your image as a person who looks appropriate for a business environment or gathering. High slits in skirts are not appropriate. A small back, center slit in a knee-length skirt is appropriate. On a calf length skirt, a slit to the knee to facilitate walking and stair climbing is appropriate. • Color / fabric:
Navy, dark gray, brown and black are safe. Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. Women generally have more options with suit color than men. For example, while a women could look conservative in a slate blue or light gray suit, these colors would be inappropriate for men. Choose a solid or very subtle weave pattern or plaid (the kind that look solid across a room). Wool, wool blends, and high quality blends and synthetics are apprpriate for women's suiting. • Shirt / sweaters:
Underneath the suit jacket, wear a tailored blouse in a color or small print that coordinates nicely with your suit. A fine gauge, good quality knit shell is also appropriate underneath your suit jacket. Don't show cleavage. • Jewelry / accessories:
Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry. • Cosmetics:
Keep makeup conservative. A little is usually better than none for a polished look. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries. • Shoes:
Should be leather or fabric / micro fiber. Shoe styles and heel heights come and go. Choose closed-toe pumps. Regardless of what is in style, avoid extremes; no stilettos or chunky platforms. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling in uncomfortable shoes does not convey a professional appearance. • Hosiery:
Should be plainly styled (no patterns), sheer (not opaque), and in neutral colors complementing your suit. Avoid high contrast between your suit and hosiery color. • Purse / bag:
If you carry a purse, keep it small and simple, especially if you also carry a briefcase. Purse color should coordinate with your shoes. You may choose to carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. Leather is the best choice for briefcases; micro fiber or fine wovens are also acceptable. Grooming tips for everyone • Hair:
Should be clean and neat. • Shoes:
Should be in polished condition. Make sure heels are not worn. • Details:
No missing buttons, no lint; and don't forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes. • Hands:
Clean fingernails. • Fit:
Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly. • Smell:
Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. No odors in clothes. Don't smell like smoke. • Pad folios:
Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate. But if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking silly. • Book bags:
Leave it at home for an on-site interview. For an on-campus interview, you can leave it in the waiting area.view.)


Typical interview format Differences Because each interviewer is different, there are many types of interviews. Some interviewers are skilled at interviewing; others are not. Some are talkative; others let you do most of the talking. Most interviews, however, will range from open-ended, in which the interviewer asks questions and lets you do most of the talking, to the highly structured, in which the interviewer asks many specific questions following a planned format. Many interviews will fall between these extremes; you should be prepared for any style. The following are four basic stages that can occur in a typical interview:
Typical stages of the interview
1. Introductory stage The interviewer will establish rapport and create a relaxed, though businesslike, atmosphere. This is where the interviewer gets the very important first impression of you. 2. Review of your background and interests This usually takes the form of "what," "why," "where," and "when" types of questions. Focus on what you are like, and what you have accomplished, your academic and work background, and your goals. One of the interviewer's objectives is to see if your qualifications match your declared work interests. Give concise but thorough responses to questions. 3. Matching begins Assuming you have the necessary qualifications, the interviewer will begin the process of determining whether the employer's job opening(s) match your interests and qualifications. If there seems to be a match, the interviewer will probably explain job details to see how interested you are in the position. 4. Conclusion In this stage, the interviewer should explain what the next steps are in the hiring process. Be sure you understand them. Promptly provide any additional information requested. There should be ample opportunity for you at this point to ask any questions you have.

Soft Skills GD

I. LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
A well-written introduction is an important requirement of the Career Portfolio. This letter introduces you to prospective employers and colleges. It should be both personal and informative and spotlight your best work. A letter of introduction serves as a first impression. It is critical that you address—
Why you are interested in this position/business/college (if you do not have a particular
position/business/college in mind, choose one that might interest you).
Your career aspirations and goals.
The skills and abilities that would make you successful in a particular career or at a
particular college.
Why this business or college should select you.
This letter should be no longer than one (1) single-spaced, typewritten page. Be sure that it is typed neatly and is both grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.

Preparing a Resume
A resume is a summary of a person’s qualifications. Effective resumes use short statements to inform potential interviewers about important facts regarding the applicant and to catch their attention. The important facts:
Who you are.
How you may be contacted (mail, telephone, e-mail).
Your experiences, skills, and abilities for the position.
Think about yourself. What skills do you have? What should a potential interviewer know about you? What achievement(s) could you highlight to help you get the interview?
Draft a resume. Each resume should be personal and reflect your individual strengths. Basic guidelines for an effective resume:
Type and spell-check it.
Have another person proofread it.
Make it look professional.
Make it short--one page if possible.
Omit personal pronouns.
Use action verbs when describing your job responsibilities.
Sample Resume
JESSICA NADEAU
42 Washington Avenue
Auburn, Maine 04240
(207) 555-5555
jnadeau@emailaddress.com
Career Objective: Computer support technician in central Maine
Education: High School Diploma, June 2002
Edward Little High School, Auburn Heights, Auburn, ME 04210
G.P.A. 3.2 Class Rank: 45 out of 411
Honors and Awards:
Honor Roll for last three semesters
Perfect Attendance Award for the last two academic years
Relevant Courses:
Introduction to Computer Repair I Introduction to BASIC
Database & Spreadsheets Word Processing I
Computer Experience: Neighborhood "Computer Expert" - 2001-present. Performed
troubleshooting for several friends and relatives who were having difficulty
with their hardware or software.
Network Assistant {volunteer) - Edward Little High School.
September 2001-May 2002. Assembled 20 computers for new computer
laboratory, loaded software on each one, and networked them.
Other Experience: Waitperson, Rolandeau's, Auburn, Maine. Summer 2001.
Provided efficient, friendly, quality service in busy fine dining atmosphere.
Child care provider - Freeport. Maine. Summer 200. Provided safe, warm
environment for two children aged 4 and 7. Supervised their self-directed
play and prepared meals and snacks.
Activities: Soccer Team - 1998-2002 - Co-captain 2000-2002
Civil Rights Team - 2002
Soup Kitchen Volunteer - 1999-2001
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SAMPLES OF WORK
Your portfolio should include samples of your work. You are responsible for selecting and gathering these samples. Choose samples of which you are proud—work that shows care and planning. This section of the portfolio demonstrates what you can do and how well you can do it.
Wherever possible, choose samples that display skills appropriate to the position for which you are applying.
Samples of work that are three-dimensional and cannot be placed in the binder may accompany the portfolio. However, instead of the sample itself, your portfolio can include a photograph and a note explaining the physical item. Please also include notes where necessary to explain a little about when, why, and for whom a project was completed. If you were responsible for only part of the project, explain your contribution.
Possible examples of academic work:
Research papers, book reports, essays
Math projects
Science projects
Exams that show achievement
Computer projects
Mechanical/technical drawings
Other samples of work:
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to personal interests and hobbies (i.e., photography, poetry, cooking, woodworking, etc.)
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to community involvement outside of school (i.e., Scouts, religious organizations, 4-H, etc.)