Science Horizons

The purpose of the resume and cover letter is to make the job search process quicker and easier. In order to make your job search much easier and increase your chances of securing your dream job, you have to think of the resume as a marketing tool and you are the product that is being sold.

The following are a number of tips to help ease your job search process using resumes and cover letters:

1. Statistics have shown that the likelihood of acquiring employment through a job ad is 1 out of 20, and the chances of acquiring employment through networking are 1 out of 4. These statistics will help you narrow your job search by submitting your resume and cover letter to the most appropriate potential employers. Check with people you know such as family, colleagues (current and former), professors, managers, etc for leads on job openings. As well, review your qualifications and experiences, education, and skills, to see what types of jobs you are suitable for. Identify the most important employers in your area and contact their human resource departments to find out how and where to apply for job openings. As well, contact local government departments and agencies to find out where they list their job openings. Once you have narrowed your search, you can then work on your resume and cover letter.

2. Cover letters are an essential element of getting a job interview and they make your resume stand out from your competition. Always send out a cover letter with your resume, as it will be the difference between getting a job interview, or throwing your resume in the waste can. A cover letter should not be a duplicate of your resume, but a complement to it. The purpose is to add a personal touch to your resume and give the employer a sense of who you are and what position you are seeking. It is the first written contact with the employer so you must make a good impression and catch the employer’s eye. It should state the position that you are applying for, the reasons why you want the job, and highlight the most important skills that would make you a valuable asset to the company. It shows that you understand the position, and have the knowledge and experience in that type of work. The cover letter should summarize why you are the ideal candidate for the position. It should be one page with a minimum of three paragraphs.

3. Your resume must be professional and easy to read. It should also be interesting with no long sentences. Important skills, achievements, and experiences that are relevant to the job must be noted. It must not be overly detailed as you will give more explanations during the interview. You should write effective and eye catching statements. As well, your descriptions should be clear and interesting. For resumes that are scanned by companies and entered into a database, make sure your resume has relevant keywords which will bring up the resume in a search.

Because of increased competition and minimal job openings, acquiring a job is now a step-by-step process. You can ease the job search process by knowing what jobs you are suited for and creating a resume and cover letter that targets these jobs.

Amy Nutt Education Children, Communication, culture, Education, english, esl, immigration, learn english, online education, school, society, speaking english, toefl, translator

There are many different languages in the world, and there are simply none more that cause more impact than the English language. The English language is an amazing language, and it is beautiful. The shear amount of people who speak it are breath-taking, and there are many countries that teach the global language of communication in primary schools.

With about 400 million people who speak it as their primary language, and the total of English speakers at nearly 2 billion people around the world, it is no wonder why this language is the global language of communication.

Background and Origins

Historically, the language that is language is one of West Germanic descent, with origins in Anglo-Saxon England. The language is a culmination of many words from many pre-existing languages around the world, but specifically influenced by the Old Norse language of the Vikings. After the Normans conquered, where we had Old English, it transformed into what we called Middle language, which was borrowed mostly from their language, as far as spelling and vocabulary are concerned.

Shortly thereafter, Modern English was developed, coming along with what was called the Great Vowel Shift, which happened in 15th century English, where they incorporated words from a great score of different languages and dialects. In this, it is where we started using more and more words that were rooted in Greek and Latin, especially in the use of technical words.

The Significance of English

English is considered something called the “lingua franca”, the world’s first. This basically means that the language of English is something that is basically an international language of people not speaking a mother tongue. So, it’s not uncommon around the world for people to speak English if they want to communicate with someone not from their country. It is also the dominant language in many fields, such as business, science, entertainment, radio, and diplomacy.

The use of the English language is something that is considered a requirement in many fields of business, especially in the higher echelons. Even in countries where English is not the country’s primary language, a basic knowledge of English is generally required. This fact is definitely true in the fields of medicine and computing, where one is bound to have to communicate with someone that was not born in the same country that you were. And in these fields, having a “lingua franca” is something that definitely something that can come in handy.

English is something of a beautiful language, and people around the world have been studying it for a number of years for them to learn it as best as they possibly can. In learning English, there can be many things that can be achieved than if not. Chances there will more than likely be a time where a person would need to communicate with someone from another country, and if it’s the global language, a person definitely could be benefit from learning it! And with this global language of communication, it will definitely not be an effort in vain.

Amy Nutt Education Career, culture, dictionary, Education, english, esl, grammar, Language, learn english, online course, online education, school, society, UAW: Education

There are many reasons why people choose to learn English. They may want to gain access to English information such as in books, magazines, and newspapers. Having English can open the doors for a prosperous career path. It will also help when communicating with people when traveling abroad. As well, people can enjoy English entertainment such as television, music, and movies. In the past, learning English consisted of reading textbooks in a classroom setting. Nowadays, technology has made learning English much quicker and easier.

The evolution of the Internet has resulted in a host of creative ways to learn the English language. People from all over the world now have access to such communication channels as internet radio and television where they can sit, listen, and watch English speakers. They will learn common idioms that are used and can get a better understanding of words and phrases and their context which is a feature often lacking in standard English learning text books. There are also many sites that offer English learning programs. These programs are flexible so people can learn anywhere, any time, and at their own pace. The programs utilize games, conversational English learning, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises, quizzes, and many have places where English learners can meet others so they can practice writing English in chat rooms and on discussion boards. There are also speaking chat rooms where learners can converse with each other in English. It is a comfortable environment and learners will not feel embarrassed if they make a mistake. As well, there are many English newspapers, journals, and magazines available online. Learners can access the subject they are interested in so they will enjoy learning

To understand and speak English properly, one has to listen to a native English speaker. The internet is full of native English speakers who offer English conversational learning. Online instructors converse with learners in English allowing them to listen and speak.

Learners now have many English audio tapes and English audio CD that allows them to learn just about anywhere, including the car. All you need is a Cassette or CD player. One can also find many English electronic devices that will help in learning the language. Such devices include MP3 Audio Programs which they can take anywhere with them, English learning software that can be downloaded on their computers that includes translation programs, electronic translators or electronic dictionaries which can be used with a Pocket PC, Palm OS, PDAs, smartphones, and much more. There are also talking electronic dictionaries. Most of these devices can be taken anywhere. Many devices contain text-to-speech and voice recognition technologies, and a wide range of range of vocabulary. There are also dictionaries that contain common expressions and phrases, grammar references, a study list, SAT word list, complete grammar guide, exercises, tests, and language improving games.

With the vast array of tools available, learning English has never been easier. You will gain a great deal of satisfaction as you grasp the English language. Many people have taken advantage of the new learning tools available and have been amazed at how quickly they learn the language. Learning English is now fun, fast, and most importantly, very rewarding. As well, it gives people a proud sense of accomplishment.

Amy Nutt Education cover letter, Education, english, english lesson online, english lessons, esl, interview questions, learn english, learning english, sample cover letters

A job interview is something that is nerve-wracking, just to say the least. There is really nothing that is going through the mind except one can do with this opportunity, the possible money, and possible relationships with co-workers. Before all of that, there is the thought of the man or woman sitting across from you, asking a battery of questions. There is tension there, and in most cases, just a little bit of fear that you will not get the job.

Stand Out

Questions such as, “what can you bring to the company?” and “where do you see yourself in 5, maybe 10 years?” are things that are expected and prepared for. For some reason, even though you rehearsed the question time and time again in the mirror, the second they are asked, the mind can go blank. It’s normal, as they maybe a few years ago they’ve done the same exact thing.

But in a lot of cases, one of the best things that a person can do is stand out from the pack. The best things that a person can do for further consideration is to send a thank you note after the job interview. One would be surprised at how much that can make or break a job interview, because it leaves a lasting impression, something that is tangible instead of a resume or job application. It leaves your name on their tongue, which is something that you want to happen.

The Element of Surprise!

In a word, the thank you note is something that many people are losing the art of constructing. It doesn’t have to be a literary masterpiece, and in fact, simplicity is the best. The interviewer probably has a lot of things to do, and they don’t necessarily want to turn pages to hear you gush on about how much you loved spending time with them as they asked you a few questions. Something short and sweet is the key, and it can be something that as short as a paragraph.

Most people do not even send thank you notes anymore, which is also something to be aware of when you’re constructing it. People can go their entire lives being interviewed and never send one. This is what makes it vitally important, the fact that people are neglecting them. There are countless stories floating around that basically say that they only have the job that they do because they were willing to write up a quick thank you note to their current boss. It shows that you really want the job, you’re respectful, and you’re considerate of their time. Remember, they did not have to choose you to interview.

The thank you note is something that is quite important for those people who really want the job, as there are many people who came in before you and may have said the same things that you did, and they may have even said them a thousand times better. So, if you really want to be considered for the newest position, especially in this economy, you may want to slide a thank you note to your next interviewer.

Amy Nutt Career Career, culture, dictionary, english, esl, job interview, jobs, Language, learn english, resume, school, society

With English being a prominent language in the world, it is very important that people learn it so that they can become a part of some of the many important activities that occur within it. Some of these activities might include commerce, trading, and many other things. The biggest problem is that English is a very hard language to learn. It is a complicated one full of contradictions that are not seen in any of the other languages. Because of this need to learn the English language, it is no surprise that many jobs boards have popped up all over the internet offering classes for those who wish to learn English, and teaching positions for those who want to make their living teaching others to speak it. It has been found though that these places are a bit impersonal and may not encourage social interaction that is so needed when learning a new language.

We’ve researched several of these companies and came to the conclusion that if you want to English, then you should looking into ESL United. Even if you’re willing to teach others you will find that this is the place to be one of the certified teachers. The only difference between this place and all the rest was its ability to act like a community. In short, it’s basically a social networking site.

You will see blogs, forums, videos, and other things along the way that will help you in your quest to speak, read, and write proper English. Best of all it won’t cost you a dime to sign up for the forum. Granted there are fees if you take some of the classes, but there is no harm in looking around and figure out if this is the best fit for you.

Just remember that this is completely different from all the other boards you have ever seen. It comes complete with a teaching staff, technical support, and any other help you need along the way. Obviously the biggest benefit with ESL United is being able to learn English, but making friends along the way is an added bonus. You need all the encouragement you can get when it comes to this difficult language.

Anytime a newcomer signs up, it allows you to connect with them almost instantly. In the end, ESL is well above all of its competitors in the language world. If you’ve been looking for a great community where you can learn English, then you don’t need to go anywhere else.

Chad DeBolt Education e, Education, esl, esl jobs, esl lesson, r, Reference Education, s

TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a test that measures your ability to speak, read, and write in English at a college or university level. This test is one of the best measures of whether or not you are ready to attend college at an English-speaking school. Even though you may think that you speak and write English well, doing so on the college level is entirely different, especially if you have learned it as a foreign language.

What Is Contained in the TOEFL?

The test is either Internet-based or paper-based. Both test the same things, but in a slightly different format. These assessments test your ability to read, listen to, speak, and write English. You will be asked to read passages and then answer questions on them. You will also be asked to listen to a lecture that is a college-level lecture, followed by more questions. A few tasks will require a verbal answer, and you will be asked to write two passages. The lectures, reading passages, and questions are all designed to reflect the types of tasks you would be asked to perform at the college level.

Who Needs the TOEFL?

Students who wish to attend an English speaking university or college but have learned English as a foreign language should take the TOEFL before applying to their chosen school. Many schools require the scores from this test for admission. Even if your school does not require it, having a good score can help you have an advantage over other applicants if there are limited openings available.

Outside of the admission requirements, the TOEFL will help you assess whether or not you have the skills necessary to deal with academic situations in your chosen school. You will need to be able to hear lectures, write papers, and communicate verbally with teachers and classmates. The TOEFL will show you whether or not you have attained this level of English fluency. If you need more practice, preparing for the test will give you that practice.

Benefits of the TOEFL

The TOEFL is the English language fluency assessment accepted by over 6,000 institutions. You might assume that all of these are in America or the United Kingdom, but they are actually spread across the world in 110 countries. Almost every university in the major English speaking countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, use TOEFL scores to determine whether or not non-English speakers can be admitted to their programs, receive scholarships, or enter graduate school to learn English.

Another benefit of the TOEFL over other English proficiency tests is the fact that there are over 4,000 test centers you can use. If you do have to travel, you will save time and money because the test can be completed in just one day.

Finally, this test gives you an unbiased measure of your English speaking ability. Tests are scored anonymously, and no interviews are included as part of the process. If you know English well, you will score well, plain and simple. The TOEFL is the best measure of your ability to succeed in an English speaking college program.

Amy Nutt Education c, culture, d, dictionary, e, Education, english, esl, free english lessons, i, immigration, j, job, l, Language, learn english, o, online education, online english dictionary, r, s, self;improvement, social;issue, society

When learning English as a second language, many students feel that they have failed if they dont speak it flawlessly and without an accent. The simple truth is, however, that the majority of ESL students will not be able to completely get rid of their accent in English without many years of hard work. If you are able to speak clearly and have others understand you, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with having an accent.

What IS Important

Being able to speak like a native doesnt necessarily mean that youll be accent free. In fact, your accent could be just what you need to set your voice apart from millions of others. But there are a few things that you do need to know if you are serious about speaking the language well.

Avoid common mispronunciations. This varies depending on your mother tongue, but most people have some set pronunciations that can cause problems in English. For example, most adult Asians pronounce the letter “r” as “l”. Spanish speakers will usually say “b” for the letter “v”. If you know what your particular mispronunciations are, you can be conscious of them and make a real effort not to say these sounds wrong. This will make your English far more understandable. Children will have less of a problem with this than adults.

Enunciate. In your rush to speak English like a native, you may try to speed up, but this can make it hard for people to understand you. Slow down a little and make sure you say each word clearly and there will be far less chance of misunderstanding. You can practice your enunciation, as well. This doesnt mean that you need to get rid of your accent, only that you need to speak clearly so everyone will understand what you have said . . . this is something that many native English speakers also have problems with. Increase your vocabulary. Its far easier to express yourself if you know what words to use. This basically means you need to do a lot of studying and reading. Watching movies and television shows in

English can also help with building vocabulary, as well as improving your accent. Speaking with others is another method of learning new words, as long as you are with someone you feel comfortable asking the definition from. Otherwise, get in the practice of carrying a small pocket English dictionary with you that you can use in your daily practice.

Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better youll get at speaking English. That means striking up conversations with strangers, calling up friends on the phone to speak English (phones can be difficult, but are excellent practice for speaking clearly), and getting in as much conversation time as possible. Many English students even hire someone to converse with them, but you should be able to find plenty of people who are happy to just have a conversation.

If you really do wish to reduce your accent, then there are specialists who help people with this. A speech therapist will be able to help you move your mouth differently than you are accustomed to and help you correct the more common pronunciation problems so that you will be able to speak more like a native speaker.

Speaking English well takes time and practice. Theres no instant method for picking up a new language perfectly and while you may want to work on speaking more like a native, it isnt necessary. In fact, you may find that many people enjoy listening to an accent, as long as you are able to speak clearly and be understood.

A Nutt Education c, Communication, culture, e, Education, english, esl, f, foreign, i, immigration, Language, m, n, o, online courses, online education, r, Reference Education, s, society, u

Learning English can seem like a complicated and time consuming task. Understanding English slang, and how native English speakers engage in conversation, is something that cannot be learned in a text book. Learning English from a native speaker teacher has a number of advantages. Although there can be miscommunication regarding culture and customs, native speaker teachers can make it easier to learn and understand the English language.

The advantages of learning English with nat”ve speaker teachers include:

1. Authentic Learning: A student will be exposed to the authentic English language. Through learning activities such as games, students will learn about the culture and how to speak like a native speaker. This includes the use of slang and accents. Students will be able to engage in real and regular conversations that English speakers use every day.

2. Pronunciation and Language Use: Native speaker teachers provide a natural way of learning English words and grammar. Students will learn how to properly pronounce words and phrases. They will also learn how to speak and write using proper grammar and vocabulary. They can provide instant and accurate feedback to help students overcome bad speech patterns. . For instance, if a student pronounces a word ate but means to say hate, a teacher will provide proper enunciation of the letter h. Many words look the same but are pronounced differently. Phrases such as “I have read that magazine,” and “I like to read are good examples. These types of words can be confusing for a student learning English. A native speaker teacher will understand the background and meaning of the words.

3. Cultural Questions: Because the English language is often integrated within a culture, native speaker teachers are able to provide answers to questions about customs or cultural practices that may come up during class.

4. Grammar: People whose native tongue is English are quick to catch grammar errors. For instance, a phrase such as will not to tell is a grammar mistake a teacher will pick up on every time. They will provide positive feedback to help a student learn to say will not tell. After a series of positive feedback sessions, students will begin to monitor themselves and catch their own mistakes and correct them.

5. English Conversations: By conversing with native speakers, a student of English will be able to pick up on the meaning of phrases and the teacher will be able to make sure the student is applying the proper meaning of the words and phrases they use. The English teacher can explain why a phrase is spoken in a certain way.

6. Verbs: Some English verb phrases can be very confusing. A teacher can explain phrases like come up with or checking in on much more easily. There are also many irregular verbs used in the English language. Rules for such verbs as sing, sang, and sung can be difficult to comprehend. A teacher who is fluent in English can make these rules regarding irregular verbs easier to understand.

7. Strange Vocabulary: Explaining the difference between such phrases and words as wise man and wise guy can be difficult. The teacher will have an easier time explaining types of words that seem illogical to a student.

English is not the most complex language in the world, but it can be one of the most difficult to learn. Native speaker teachers will have the experience of speaking the language and have a better and less complicated way of providing explanations. When implemented correctly, teaching English to foreign students can be rewarding and enjoyable for both the teacher and the students.

Amy Nutt Education a, c, College, culture, d, e, Education, english, esl, i, immigration, ingles, l, Language, m, o, online courses, online education, r, reference, Reference Education, s, school, society, students, t, teachers

Have you ever had a job interview where you wondered why in the world the prospective employer was asking certain questions that you thought were strange? If you thought they were strange, then you were probably right. There are certain questions that shouldnt be asked during a job interview. As a matter of fact, federal law prohibits an employer from asking questions that are not relevant to the job. All questions should be related to the job and not used to gather personal information.

Here are some of the job interview questions that you should not be asked during an interview, but employers tend to do it anyway:

What is your ethnicity? What is your sexual orientation? What is your religion? Do you attend church services regularly? Where were you born? How old are you? Do you have any disabilities? Are you married? Do you have children?

All of these questions have nothing to do with the job. The employer may ask if you have adequate transportation to get back and forth to work, but that is relevant to the job. It is relevant because your job depends on you being able to be there. The employer wants to make sure you can fulfill your obligation each day.

As for whether or not you have children or you are married, those questions are not relevant to the job. Most adults do have children and most adults do have a significant other. There are also many adults who dont have these things. Employers are not allowed to discriminate against you because you do have children.

Actually, an employer is not allowed to discriminate against you for anything at all. Many good candidates could be passed up due to discrimination. Everyone is to have an equal chance at getting the job regardless of their personal circumstances.

Unfortunately, there are still employers asking these questions and they are getting by with it. They have been known to ask questions such as, Will your children get in the way of your job responsibilities? They may even ask, Do you have adequate childcare so that you can carry out your job duties? These questions are not needed. Now, an employer may ask a question, such as Are you physically capable to carry out the job duties? This is a viable question for the fact that some jobs require heavy lifting or have other physical demands. If a person is not able to carry out those physical demands, then they may find that performing their job is very difficult. If someone says they are able to fulfill the physical demands, but they dont, then they could lose their job. This question cannot be considered a disability question.

If you find that you are being asked illegal questions in a job interview, it may be in your best interest to turn down a job offer. If they want to know why, there is nothing wrong with telling them that their questions were too personal. If they are going to ask you such questions during a job interview, then it is hard to tell how personal things would get when actually doing the job. You could be treading on shallow water and find yourself in a job that you would not like.

When you call an employer out on their illegal questions, you may be opening their eyes to what it is they are doing. Then again, you may not be. Just know that an employer that asks illegal questions is not exactly the type of employer you want to dedicate your time to.

Amy Nutt E-Learning B, Business, business;finance, c, Career, Careers, Communication, company, d, e, E-Learning, Education, english, esl, h, human resources, j, job interview, jobs, l, Language, n, o, online courses, organization, r, s, school, u, w, work

With so many people competing for jobs, employers are finding themselves swamped with stacks of resumes. Employers are now looking for resumes that standout from the pile. The key to landing a job interview is to present a strong and effective resume. A resume that is filled with errors will only end up in the waste basket. The following is a list of common mistakes people make when writing a resume:

1) No Cover Letter: Employers want to see a cover letter with a resume. A cover letter is your introduction and summarizes your job intentions.

2) Typing Errors: A resume with typos and grammatical errors will make an employer think that you do not pay attention to details. A computer spell check does not always pick up every mistake. Proofread your resume and then have a friend read it.

3) Disorganized Content: It is important to list the most important information at the top of the resume. Experience and employment history are the most important parts of the resume. Your hobbies should be placed near the end of the resume. Make sure your information is easy to read. Filter out information that is not relevant to the job.

4) Unprofessional email address: Email addresses should not be amateurish. For instance, happyguy104@hotmail.com is not appropriate. A better email would be JohnDoe@hotmail.com.

5) Layout Lacking Consistency: You should have equal spacing between headings. Your margins should be equal. Include dates on your resume. A recommended font size is 11 or 12. When using verbs, make sure you are using the correct verb tense. Use different action verbs when highlighting your skills. Do not use abbreviations or contractions.

6) Unclear Focus: Your resume should be written to match your experience and education with the job you are seeking. You want the employer to think that you are the best person for the job.

7) Boring Content: Your resume should tell a mini story about your experience and education. Dont just list your duties. Highlight valuable experience to show why you should be chosen for the job. Do not use phrases such as responsibilities included or duties included.
Lacking Extracurricular Activities: Employers want to read about additional activities such as certificates of achievement, training, volunteer experience, and awards. This will show employers that you are out going and well-rounded. When listing your achievements, make sure you emphasize the results of your work.

9) Key skills Do Not Stand Out: Use a format such as bullets to highlight skills the employer will like. You want to show the employer that you will be an asset to the business.

10) Inappropriate Personal Information: Dont put in personal information such as gender and age. Do not include a picture of yourself. . Keep your personal and professional life separate in order to be taken seriously.

11) Inaccurate Information: It is important that you do not lie or embellish. It would be embarrassing if you were caught lying. Your resume should be truthful.

12) Job Experience Too Old: It is important not to go back too far when listing your employment experience. If you are older, employers will not want to see what summer job you had in high school.

A resume is the entryway to a job interview. It is important to understand that your resume is a marketing tool, not an autobiography. Make your resume an interesting read. A resume should be written so that it is focused on the job position. When you write a professional resume that stands out from the others in the pile, you will have a better chance of getting your dream job.

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