ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 5)

 What to Expect in a Job Interview.

Last Step in the Job Search Process Job Interviews:

Answer Question about Skills and Qualifications
Ask questions about the job or company
Make a positive impression

Common interview questions:

Q : Tell me about a time that you solved a problem.
A : I created a document to help others teachers plan their schedules.

or 

Q : What did you learn from working at XYZ company
A : I learned to use new software and computer programs to manage information in a busy office

Interviews are a great chance to explain your qualifications and transferable skills with examples or short stories. For example, many employers look for people who can show leadership skills or creativity in solving problems. You can prepare answers that show you have these skills by using examples from your past work experiences or education. During the interview, keep eye contact with the interviewer. Give clear and honest answers, and bring extra copies of important documents like resumes or certifications. In summary, job-seekers should be prepared for job interviews with examples of theirs skills and qualifications to answer the questions.

Interview Tips

Make sure to talk about your: 

• Strengths
• Flexibility (how you react to new or tricky situations)
• Skills as a leader
• Interest in learning new things
• Contributions to places where you have worked or volunteered
• Problem-solving skills
• People skills

Before the interview, look at the skills needed for the job. The job posting will list these skills. For each one, write down how you are qualified. This will help you to find your strengths and weaknesses. Plan how you will talk about this in the interview. You may not have every skill needed for a job. But you can still show that you can learn those skills.


Make a list of questions to ask. Pick questions that show your interest in the job and the company. Ask about the job you will be expected to do. Some sample questions are:

• What will I do day-to-day in this job?
• How will my work be reviewed? Who will review it?
• Could you explain how the company is organized?
• What computer software do you use?
• What is the company's plan for the next five years?
  
  

Be prepared. Remember to bring these things to the interview:

Notebook and pens

Extra copies of your resume

A list of people who can speak about your skills if the company asks for a reference (someone who will say you are a good fit for the job)

Any special paperwork the interviewer said you should bring

Samples of your past work.

On the day of the interview, remember to:

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
• Go alone.
• Dress in a way that fits the job.
• Leave extra things, like coffee or your backpack, at home or in your car.
• Turn off your cellphone.
• Make sure to SMILE!

During the interview, show that you feel good about yourself. Let the interviewer start the conversation. You can send a strong message with your body language.

• Shake hands firmly, but only if a hand is offered to you first.
• Look the person in the eye.
• Listen carefully. Welcome all questions, even the hard ones, with a smile.
• Give truthful, straightforward answers.
• Have a complete answer ready in your head before you say it aloud. It's OK if you don't understand a question. Ask for it to be repeated. You don't have to rush, but you also don't want to seem uncertain.

End the interview well. A good end to the interview might help you get the job.

Respect the interviewer's time and allow the interview to end on time.
Restate any strengths that you might not have mentioned earlier.

• Share an example that shows you are a good match for the job.
• If you want the job, say so!
• Ask if there will be more interviews.
• Ask when the employer will decide if you get the job.
• Ask for the phone number or email address of the interviewer. Make sure to send a thank you note afterward.

ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 4)

NETWORKING.

What is Network?

A connection between many things or people

Networking

Talking to other people about your job search and career and goals. 

Networking is about building professional relationships, which take time to grow.
There are many ways to increase or add to your professional network. First, you can join a professional organization, which is a group of people with similar occupations or careers. Second, you can use social media websites like LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Third, you can contact College Alumni groups. Alumni groups are a connection of current and past students from the same university.

Networking Facts

• Networking is not the same as asking for a job. Networking is about building contacts. Contacts are people you know. Your networking contacts are people who work for a company or organization.
• Networking helps you learn more about jobs that are being created and advertised.
• It lets you learn about the “hidden network.” This network has many jobs that are never advertised.
• It is good to know people in different companies and organizations. It helps you develop more as a professional.
• An employer may not be hiring today. However, tomorrow the employer may be looking for someone like you.

Before Networking, Be Clear About Your Job Search Goals

Think about what you want to tell others about yourself. Here are some things they may ask you. 

• What kinds of jobs are you looking for?
• What skills and experience prepared you for these jobs?
• Are you focused on a particular industry? (Examples of industries are car sales or health insurance.)
• Do you want to work at a particular company?
• Do you want to look for jobs in one local area?

The Elevator Speech

An elevator speech is a short description of your skills and career goals. It lasts one to two minutes. It is an easy way to share what you want to learn from someone who may be able to help you.

Here is an example.

"Hi. My name is ____.  

• I'm looking for  ( a kind of job ) in ( an industry, or place ).   
• I really enjoy  ( something about a past job or experience ). 
• I'm good at ( a certain job skill )."

After you’ve briefly stated these facts, you can ask for help or advice. For example:

• "Do you have any advice for me?"
• "Do you know anything about this company?"
• "Do you know anyone who works there?"
• "Can I use your name to contact them?"

ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 3)

 What is a Cover Letter?

3 Reason for a Cover Letter

1. Shows the applicant's personal style
2. Summarizes the applicant's qualifications for the job
3. Formal request for an interview 

ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 2)

How to write an effective resume.

Describe your work experience, education and skills.

Resumes are usually only one or two pages long. And give a short but detailed description of your past job duties and experiences

There are 3 reasons why you need a great resume.

• To get the employer's attention and show you are a good match.
• To communicate your skills and accomplishment and to get an interview.

How to make your resume easy to read?

Don't give a future employer an excuse to ignore your resume. 
If an employer wants to contact you to ask you to come for an interview, here is where they will find your full name and information about how they can communicate with you, like your email address or telephone number.

Headline Summary

    you should write the job you are looking for and then include a summary of the skills you have on your headline and summary in your resume.

Work Experience

     you can list the jobs you have worked at in the past, including your current job, if you have one. Current job means what job you have now.

College Degrees

    Example; She includes her Associate's Degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in 2001. If you have more than one qualification, list them in reverse chronological order, similar to your work experience. So you should begin with your most recent degree first and then the one before that after

RESUME GUIDE : THE BASIC ELEMENTS

 

There are two basic resume formats. One is chronological. The other is functional. Chronological resumes highlight your job history. They list your past work experiences. Functional resumes focus less on experience and more on skills.

A chronological format works best if you have a strong work history. It is a good format when you are looking for a new job in the same field. It shows how your past experience will help with a new job.

A functional format shows what you are able to do. This format helps to show skills that are not part of your work history. It is the best format to use if you are changing careers.

The best resumes are usually a mix of both formats. They give employers important information about your work history. And they also show your strongest skills.

ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Coursera WEEK 1)

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE COURSE :
ENGLISH FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT - WEEK 1

IDENTIFYING INTERESTS AND SKILLS 

Functional Skills: The Things You Do 

Some of your skills are verbs, things you do. Some examples are sewing, driving, communicating, motivating, organizing, planning, memorizing and researching. These are your "transferable skills." They are also called gifts and “natural skills.” 

Acquired Skills: Your Expertise

Some of your skills are nouns, like people, subjects and objects. Some examples are computers, English, flowers, colors, Microsoft Word, music and Japanese.

Personal Trait Skills

Adjectives or adverbs are the third kind of skills. Some examples of these adjectives are words like dependable, responsible, thoughtful and kind.


Some Useful Terms
many of this few vocabulary words look similar. But they are actually different word forms, nouns and verbs. One way to help remember all of this new words is to organize them into three categories. Things are nouns, actions are verbs and people are nouns.

Example

Employer : The person making the decision to give the applicant a job
Employment : A general term for the activity that people do to make money
Employee: A person who is hired and begins working

HOW TO SET A SMART GOALS TO GET AHEAD IN CAREER

Specific — Have a specific, clear focus. For example, “make 10 job search calls” is very specific. “Make some networking connections” is not specific.

Measurable — Make sure you have a way to measure your progress. Ask yourself the following questions about your goal: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? Try questions that focus on something that can be counted. For example, your goal might include how much time you want to spend on a project, how much money you want to make, or how many people you want to connect with. 

Attainable — Goals should be attainable, or possible to reach. A goal is attainable when the steps are planned clearly and you have enough time to complete them. How do you plan to reach your goal? What steps should you take? Is the goal realistic based on where you are now? You should set a goal that is a challenge. However, your goal should not be impossible.

Relevant — A relevant goal is one that really matters to you and is important. Is it worth the energy? Is this the right time? Does your career goal fit into your life goals and future plans? Is there anything you will need to reach your goal that you don't currently have? 

Timely — A goal should have a clear timeline. This will help keep you focused. Decide when do you want to start working on your goal. Then ask yourself: When should I complete each step?

FEW TIPS FOR REACHING SMART GOALS 

Make A List:
Write down your goal. Then write down the steps you will take to get there. This will help you to remember and accomplish each step. Put your list where you will see it. 

Set Deadlines:
Give yourself a date to complete your goals. Set a deadline for each step. Write down the date when you finish each step. 

Reward Yourself :
Working toward goals is hard. Think of small rewards to give yourself when you complete each step. The rewards will help you stay motivated. 

Have A Goal Partner:
Find someone to help you. The person can be a friend, co-worker, job coach or anyone else. Discuss your goals together, and meet up when you complete each step. If possible, do the same for your partner

USING THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA TO SEARCH A JOB

a media marketing company based in New York called Elite SEM. SEM is search engine marketing. His company's job is to help businesses improve their websites and search engine results. Elite SEM uses sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn about job candidates. LinkedIn is a networking site for professionals, so users might be more careful about what they say.

Mr. Kirshner says a site like Facebook can also provide a lot of information -- good or bad -- about a person. So pay attention to what you put on the Internet and what others put online about you.

SEARCHING JOB USING FACEBOOK

Users can find openings using the Jobs dashboard on Facebook's web sidebar or its mobile app's More section. The search can be filtered according to area and type of industry, as well as between full-time and part-time jobs.

Users can automatically fill out applications with information from their Facebook profile, submit the applications and schedule interviews.



OVERALL QUIZ SCORES FROM THE COURSE

NEW WORDS FROM SCRABBLES : MEANING AND EXAMPLE OF SENTENCE

NEW WORD :
ZAPS : 

a sudden effect or event that makes a dramatic impact, especially a sudden burst of energy or sound.

Example: "the eggs get an extra zap of UV light"

Vanda :
any of several epiphytic orchids of the genus Vanda, of tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere, having large white, lilac, blue, or greenish flowers.

Example: "Vanda ends up being much less of a airhead than she initially appears".

Yegg :
noun Older Slang

Example: A jeweler by trade, he fell from his high estate and went on the road as a yegg.

Uveous
of or relating to the uvea of the eye.

Example : It was plainly seen that God, in anger, was laying His hand heavily on Uveous

Disavow :
to disclaim knowledge of, connection with, or responsibility for; disown; repudiate:

Example : He disavowed the remark that had been attributed to him.

Abutter(s) : 
a person who owns adjacent land

Example : the owner of an abutting property

ESL-LAB.COM- ACADEMIC LISTENING

 

Date	Name of Quiz	New Vocabularies / Sample Sentences	Score
October 20, 2020	Tour of Kyoto, Japan	- itinerary - stroll	5/5
October 20,2020	Airport announcement	-  inclement   deice	5/5