Job Interview - A professional diagnosis

How to write your CV? What key words can you use in order to increase your chances to be selected? Find the answers in the following article in English.

Would you go to a hairdresser to have your car fixed? Or, indeed, to a car mechanic to have your hair styled? Of course not! Why then do so many people go to a friend or neighbour or anyone who will offer advice when it comes to one of the most important aspects of their lives – their career? Your CV is your ambassador, it is your sales document and you need to invest a very small amount to get excellent results.



‘Finding yourself in a position where you have to construct a CV can be very daunting, but panic not! Firstly, you should look at the experience you have. What can you do? What are you good at? What do you enjoy? You need to be very realistic when doing this. There’s no point in deciding that you want to be an engineer, for example, if you need a specific qualification which you do not have. If you’ve been in a job as a sales person, then the likelihood is that you’ll be better positioned to find another opportunity as a sales person, as you’ll have the relevant experience for this type of job.

You need to consider what else is required for the role. Do you need to hold a full clean driving licence? Do you need to have a second language? Do you need to be available for shift work? There is absolutely no point in applying for a job that you are either not qualified for or do not have the essential requirements to fulfil.

I always recommend that you look at the jobs that are available and see which matches most closely to your experience and qualifications. Then, write your CV using the key words in the job advert. Often companies use software to select suitable CVs, using key words to search. If you have not included these key words in your CV, it will not be selected, even though you may be very well matched to the position. Once you have a clear idea of what you want to put into the CV, you are half way there.’

Original article in Metro Ireland.

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One for the Weekend!

Some geeky humor for the weekend:

A man walks into a Silicon Valley pet store looking to buy a monkey. The store owner points towards three identical looking monkeys in politically-correct, animal-friendly natural mini-habitats.

"The one on the left costs $500," says the store owner.
"Why so much?" asks the customer.
"Because it can program in C," answers the store owner.

The customer inquires about the next monkey and is told, "That one costs $1500, because it knows Visual C++ and Object-Relational technology."

The startled man then asks about the third monkey. "That one costs $3000," answers the store owner.

"3000 dollars!!" exclaims the man. "What can that one do?"

To which the owner replies, "To be honest, I've never seen it do a single thing, but it calls itself a Consultant."

Common Errors in English Usage

Which were the most common errors that we made when first using the English language? How to properly use a / an, farther / further? Fortunately, you’ll find the answer to these questions on the website that we’re introducing today.

In Common Errors in English Usage there are more than 1000 explanations for those errors that we usually make when using the English language.

As words are alphabetically sorted, it’s very easy searching through them. For instance, the explanation for the difference between backup and back up is:

To “back up” is an activity; “back up your computer regularly”; “back up the truck to the garden plot and unload the compost.”

A “backup” is a thing: “keep your backup copies in a safe place.” Other examples: a traffic backup, sewage backup, backup plan, backup forces.”

Older writers often hyphenated this latter form (“back-up”), but this is now rare.

As you can see, the explanations are clear and they also include examples that help understanding them better.

This comprehensive list of common errors has been made by Paul Brians, Emeritus Professor of English Washington State University. Thanks very much Mr. Brians!

Link | Common Errors in English Usage

“Breaking Language Barriers” - Video Contest

Do you have a funny story about learning or speaking English? MyIntercambio wants to hear it!

Whether you've repeatedly mispronounced kitchen (cocina) and chicken (pollo) or confused your English-speaking friends by telling them you felt constipated (estreñido) when you really meant to say you felt congested (constipado), then you have a story to tell us.

We're giving away one year memberships to podcastsinenglish.com to three people who submit a short video telling us their anecdote in English. A membership to podcastsinenglish.com gives you access to over 180 audio files and hundreds of accompanying exercises to help you improve your English over one entire year!

Don't worry if you think your English isn't good enough. All English levels are welcome. There will be one winner for each level of proficiency (beginner, intermediate and advanced) so everyone has a chance of winning.

What's more, your video will be voted on by a community of people learning English just like you! The finalists will then be judged on originality, authenticity and creativity by a panel of experts.

We want to see and hear you! For more details on the video contest, go to MyIntercambio.

Contest starts April 05, 2010 and ends May 05, 2010.

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