Persuasive Writing by Brett Trucksess

I think this video shows a great structure to follow when writing a persuasive essay. As it goes through the six steps, it becomes clear how easy writing a persuasive essay can be if you follow the proper guidelines. Persuasive writing is incredibly important for all of us because it can be used in so many aspects of our lives. Even when applying for a job, persuasive writing can be used to convince the employer that you are the best person for the job. This style of writing can also become very key when writing to a professor, a business, or to any person you find yourself in a situation with when you are trying to convince them of your cause. Powerful persuasive writing is a key feature that everyone should learn and carry with them throughout their lives.

"Quitting with Class" by Tyler Reavis

At some point in your working life it is likely that you will resign from a company, whether to relocate, to take a position with another employer, or even because you just can't stand your boss. What ever the case might be, it's be it's important to resign in a professional and respectful manner. Here are some tips to resigning successfully:

Give Notice: You should give your employer notice two weeks before you want to leave the company in most instances. Be sure to check your employment contract and see if it makes any special stipulations, if so then you might be obligated to stick it out under the conditions you agreed to.

Be Direct and Polite: Don't beat around the bush when you break the news to your employer. Let them know that you will be leaving and on what date, but do so respectfully. Even if you are leaving for personal reasons, fight the temptation to tell your boss what you really think of them. Be polite and professional at all times.

You might say something like:

"I've been considering my options here for some time, and I've decided it's time for me to move on. I am grateful for the opportunities I've found here, but I must give my two weeks' notice." (WikiHow)

Come Prepared: At the time when you give your verbal resignation, you should also have a letter of resignation with you to give to your employer. Your letter should be concise, polite, and non-confrontational. Giving your employer a letter of resignation will help you leave on good terms and will leave a favorable impression in case you need a recommendation or wish to work for the company again in the future.

If you follow these simple tips, hopefully, you won't be escorted off of the premises by security and you may even receive a counter offer or an opportunity to work for the company again in the future.

References:

"How to Resign Gracefully.." wikiHow. 20 Apr 2009 .

Doyle, Allison. "I Quit! How to Resign from Your Job." About.com. 20 Apr 2009
.

Radin, Bill. " The Proper Way to Resign." Discovery Personnel. 20 Apr 2009
.

Writing Effective Meeting Minutes (Kevin Varnes)

Get a Voki now!




Whether you are recording notes in class or recording meeting miuntes we have all had those uncomfortable pains in our hands. I am going to give everyone some good tips on how to ease the process and give your writing hand a break. When taking down information we all ask ourselves one thing, what do I need to record and what should I leave out? Meeting minutes are very important and will remind you of what your role is in the project that you are involved in. When recording your meeting minutes it should be known that you are not to record everything that is said just highlight the important information. The information that should be recorded are decisions that are made in the meeting and tasks that are assigned to each person. It is important before the meeting to have the tools you need that will help you most. Whether it is a tape recorder, a laptop, or the simple pen and paper make sure you are fully prepared. After the meeting review your notes to make sure the information is clear while it is still fresh in your mind. Here are a few other important tips to think about when recording meeting minutes. It is important to focus on the action statements and not the discussion. Make sure that you number the pages so that you keep the information in order. If your notes are boring and bland that is a good thing keep it simple. Finally, once you type your notes have them reviewed by someone you trust and you have official Written effective meeting minutes

What is a Professional Writer? Professional Writing in Reality

We're down to our last blog. We've spent six plus weeks learning about the elements of professional writing and how to become efficient professional writers. Now that we're finally finished with the course, you may be asking, "Okay, now what? What exactly is a professional writer and what do they actually do?" Well I'm glad you asked!

Professional writers work behind the scenes in almost every profession in America. From the U.S. presidency to Hollywood movie sets, professional writers keep effective language afloat and make sure it is appropriately exported to the public.

Professional writers feed on creativity. We are in essentially artists of the written word. We mustn't be worried about what others think of our writing. Becoming a writer in the professional world allows us to express who we are. 

Professional writers are:

• Published authors
• Poets
• Editors (journals, magazines, newspapers, broadcasting, etc.)
• TV producers
• Script writers (TV shows, Broadway plays/musicals, Films)
• Speech writers

So if you thought becoming a professional writer meant that you'd be sitting in a cubicle writing and revising letters and memos for the rest of your life, think again!

**Below is a video distributed by University of Southern California's professional writing program. Students tell about their experiences as PW students and their success in the professional writing world. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH7wQ6PLwlc&feature=related

http://theprofessionalwriter.com 

Speaking Skills by Michael Hirsch

How to show enthusiasm, show energy and use eye contact. The volume has to be louder than normal, and use a variety of tones, to avoid monotone. Avoid “ums” and any other, if you have to pause do it get on track and keep going. Pause after a main topic. Hands, gestures and body language will help have a slower pace. Look around the audience, be confident on what you say. Don’t do a repetitive gesture it will show you are nervous. Be outgoing, show your knowledge. Remember to understand the purpose and to keep the message clear and concise. Be prepared and have visuals. These steps will lead you to an outstanding presentation.

http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/PublicSpeaking.htm
http://www.service-training.co.uk/presentation-training/skills-of-speaking.htm

Choosing the Correct Medium by Juan Arnez

We have all been there. You just can't seem to decide which one. Your phone, send a text message, leave a voice message, send an e-mail, write a formal letter, write a memo, talk in person - phew, what a headache. Now its important to remember that all these are acceptable mediums of communication, but you must be careful and take a few minutes to think about who,where and why you are writing or communicating. In a professional business atmosphere you want to stay clear of text messages and probably want to avoid calling or leaving messages. If urgent or involving a complicated issue, speaking in person is a must. E-mail or company messaging in the form of memos is probably your best option. If speaking to someone in the same institution, you can skip a lot of the formalities. If not, then a formal business letter is the appropriate medium.
Always remember to take a few minutes to decide on the correct medium, by considering the reader.

Writing a Cover Letter by Brett Diamond

A cover letter may sometimes be looked over and not even considered when applying for a job or internship. A cover letter allows the employer to see what you are truly about. As seen in the video, a cover letter informs the employer why they should hire you. It covers what is on the resume, but more in depth of your past experiences. Each paragraph should include different information, starting with why you are writing and what position you are looking to be hired, with the last paragraph being on your availability for interview. Remember, just like a resume, cover letters get looked at very shortly, so be sure to put your name and contact information is visible text.


"How to Write a Cover Letter - wikiHow." WikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit. 20 Apr. 2009 .

How to Handle Criticism

No matter what you write there is bound to be mixed emotions. When this happens you may receive criticism. It is important to handle yourself properly when this happens. Here are some tips that might help.

1. Enjoy it.

Someone has said something bad about your writing. Good, this means you have accomplished one of the hardest feats in writing, effecting someone enough to generate a response.

2. Nobody’s right.

Just because someone has decided to criticise your writing doesn't necessarily mean they are correct in their criticism.

3. Some people just won’t get it.

"Believe it or not but some folks out there are idiots. Some folks are struggling, others are bitter and some others are just plain angry." This combination of readers is bound to create some controversial comments. This is natural for some people to misunderstand your writing Just follow step 1. and enjoy it.

4. Look for a new idea.

You should be happy someone has chosen to share their ideas. You never know what may help you in your later writing. Hopefully this persons ideas will help.

5. Let it go.

No matter how nasty the comment may be you should always be able to control yourself. Take a few moments to yourself and move on. Not letting your emotions get in your way is the best way to generate good writing.

Hopefully these simple tips will help you handle criticism in the future.

How To Write A Rough Draft by Ingrid Fernandez

Get a Voki now!



The Voki says, "writing a draft is important for us out in the work world. Organizing your thoughts on paper before writing them down is essential."

The man is right. What better way to organize your thoughts than to write a draft? Of course, once you've gathered your thoughts and information, you are ready to write! But what are some ways and strategies to get this job done?

Well to begin with, you need to manage your time. Make sure you have space and time to write this draft without having to rush. The more time you have, the more confidence you build. Always use positive motivation while writing! Also, prepare your work enviroment according to how you like to work. Some people like the quiet "Do not disturb" thing, yet others like to listen to music. It's your choice. After you did that, start with a section of the draft that you feel the most comfortable with. It's better to get those easy little paragraphs out of the way. The most important thing is keep your audience in mind. You don't want to be writing to a top executive and sound like you are talking to a 5 year old. Ask yourself: "What does my reader probably know?" and "What are my reader's feelings about the subject?" All of this is very important in having a successful draft.

Some ways to develop confidence:
-Do not wait for inspiration to write the rough draft, it will come to you as you write.

-Do not worry about a good opening right at the start, focus on the other areas and the opening will just flow.

-Keep writing quickly to achieve unity.

-Do not criticize youself, it's the rough draft!

-Remind yourself that no one else is reading it, unless you want them to!


Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2855_write-rough-draft.html

"Writing That Works" by Walter E. Oliu, Charles T Brusaw, Gerald J Alred.

Giving a Successful Presentation by Carissa Miller

At some point in your future career you will most likely have to give some kind of a presentation. This means you will have to stand in front of a crowd composed of co-workers and superiors alike and speak. "Public speaking" is the number one fear in America, so it comes as no surprise that most people choke up when they hear the word presentation. The key to presenting a successful presentation is simple. Read the following to learn how you can give a smooth, comprehensive presentation without choking up on your words.

1. Analyze your audience: before you begin preparing for your presentation, recognize the audience. How old is the general audience? How familiar are they about your topic? What is their education level? Are you pursuading them or informing them?

2. Prepare a visual aid: Whether you use a slideshow, a movie, posters, whiteboard, chalkboard, projector, etc. it is vital that you have some kind of visual stimulation for your audience. Simply standing in front of them will not keep their attention, nor will it spark their comprehension. *Do not simply use text (especially the words you are speaking) as a visual aid. This will definitely bore your audience.

3. Overcome the anxiety: The best way to dodge noticeable flaws in your presentation is by practicing ahead of time. Ask a friend or family member if you can rehearse your presentation at least once. This way you will have an idea of the sequence of the sub-topics in your presentation and will be able to remember the next key point by memory. *Take slow deep breaths in order to regulate you presentation pace.

4. Effective listening: Visual aids alone will not make your audience listen. You must appeal to their ears and in order to do so, you must make sure your voice is appealing. Pace, diction, tone, and pitch are all vital factors in a vocal presentation. Try to keep your speed steady, your diction clear, your tone varied, and your pitch appropriate for the audience.


Source:
Alred, Gerald. Writing That Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job. 9th. New York: Bedford, 2007. Print.

How to Have a Good Meeting by Bryan Scott

Preparing for your first meeting may be hard if you dont know what your doing, along with the tips I gave you in the voki above here are some great ways to have a well planned productive meeting.

1. Issue an agenda
2. Start the discussion and encourage active participation
3. Work to keep the meeting at a comfortable pace – not moving too fast or too slow
4. Summarize the discussion and the recommendations at the end of each logical section.

Most of all make sure that you select good participants for your meeting. It is escential to have members that are ready to learn and listen to what you want to accomplish. Follow these steps and you will be ready to run the perfect meeting.

Sources: http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/RunningMeetings.htm

How To Get A Good Job Out of College by Ingrid Fernandez

How do we get a good job? Yeah, we write resumes, we go through interviews, but what is really the most important thing to focus on in order to get the job?

Job application letters are very important out in the market today. If you write a great application with a great deal of information to the job then there shouldn't be any reason hy you don't get the job you are looking for. Make sure to be concise and to the point about the job, you do not want to bore the employer with things about your past jobs, they want to know why you are beneficial for their job. Since job application letters and resumes are such a vital part of job-searching, there are many websites and institues that offer help in making them perfect.

Although they are important, getting a job is not just about writing the job application, and getting the interview, you also have to follow up on about where your job application went and if they want you. After the interview it is also nice for you to email the interviewers and thank them for their time and consideration.

Getting involved is a big benefit for you in school, you have more access to better jobs after you graduate. Do not procrastinate all through your college years and decide to find a job the day after you graduate. This takes some time and if you want it to be good then make it a priority. You can even use your school career center.


Sources:
http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2006/09/03/20_to_dos_now_to_get_a_good_job_later_get_experience_play_a_sport_try_to_stretch_a_little/?page=2

http://www.jobbankusa.com/CareerArticles/Career_Advice/ca81206b.html

Negotiating Salary by Brett Trucksess

For this weeks post, I chose to discuss what to do when negotiating your salary during a job offer. Salary negotiation is a subcategory of "Learning about Employers" in the text book on page 577, and I thought it would be interesting to see what techniques can be used to receive your ideal salary. The text states that your main goal when negotiating salary should be to end up in a "win-win" situation between the employer and you. As suggested by the woman in the video, it is very important to have a number in mind as to what would satisfy your monetary needs. She also suggests that when the employer offers a particular salary that is not high enough for you, respond by "high-balling" him in your counter-offer so that you can draw to a better agreement at your ideal salary. I found this video and the text to be very helpful, because sometimes negotiating one's pay can be a very uncomfortable experience if you are not confident with the process. I hope that this information will be helpful to the rest of you in the near future as we set out to negotiate our own salaries.

Writing a Resume by Brett Diamond

I am sure we are all aware by now how to write an effective resume, but we can always be reminded. This video allows the viewers to have fun while learning about resume writing. The first thing one should put on their resume is their own name. It should be the first thing the reader sees and they should remember it. As you move on down the resume, be sure to put in bold that more important facts. If where you worked is important, place that in bold, or if what you did was more important, be sure to bold that. Near the end if there is space, be sure to include references for the employer to call. It is also important to show the employer what you are skilled at, and interest/hobbies that may help you receive the job over other applicants.

Creating Visuals by Michael Hirsch

Creating visuals is not just posting a picture/graph/tables on your presentation. It is suppose to make a clear interesting message through and make the audience interact. Visuals also make greater impact than words, the audience will more likely remember a picture than remembering your whole speech or text. To reinforce what you have said without getting repetitive add a visual to your presentation.

Purpose & Tips of Visuals
• Improve your message
• To change the rhythm
• Provide interest
• Support presentation
• Instant/clear message
• Involves seeing
• Can make a dreary subject appealing
• Don’t repeat yourself, use a visual
• Show visuals then hide them again


http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eli/buswrite/creating_visuals.html
http://www.service-training.co.uk/presentation-training/creating-visuals.htm

Team Projects Toondo by Juan Arnez

by jparnez | Create your own Cartoon at www.toondoo.com



I hope you enjoyed the toondo above. It focuses on the importance of team work. I am sure that most people can relate to the characters on the cartoon. The first day everyone seems lost and worried. The first week everyone seems to have their own ways of doing things. Then finally if the team follows guidelines they tend to be smiling on grading day. Usually a project will consist of an essay or some sort of writing along the way. Here it is important to assign responsibilities, team leaders, assignments clearly. There will always be slackers on every team, but that does NOT mean that everyone can or should slack.

Writing An Effective Cover Letter by Tyler Reavis

Writing an effective cover letter is one of the most important and most overlooked parts of the job application process. Given the current state of our economy, competition for jobs is stiff. For many positions, an employer might receive hundreds or even thousands of applications. What will make yours stand out from the pile? Your letter of application is your chance to sell your self to the potential employer. It is your job to inform the employer what your skills are and why you should be hired for the position. Follow these tips and you will be sure to have a cover letter that gets noticed:

Why?: Why are you sending your resume? In your opening paragraph you should always state the position you are applying for and how you found out about it.

Start Strong: Your cover letter is your chance to make a good first impression. Before your potential employer looks at your resume and long before an interview, the first impressions that they will begin to make about you will be based upon your cover letter. Entice the reader to want learn more about you. Show your enthusiasm and your personality in your cover letter.

Sell Your Self: Highlight areas of your professional experience, education, abilities, or background that you feel make you especially qualified for the job. Draw parallels between areas of your resume and job requirements. Let your employer know why you are qualified and why they should hire you. Remember, there may be applicants with similar credentials, but no one will have the same cover letter as you.

For more tips check out these helpful sites: Writing an Effective Cover Letter, Virginia Tech: Cover Letters, Ezine: Cover Letters

References:
Martin, Dana. "Writing an Effective Job Application Letter." 13 Apr. 2009. http://www.washburn.edu/services/zzwwwctr/aplicationletter.wp51.txt

"Cover Letters." Virginia Tech. 13 Apr. 2009. http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm

Jaan, Imran. "Cover Letters." Ezine. 13 Apr. 2009. http://ezinearticles.com/?Cover-Letter&id=1997180

Successful project team management (Kevin Varnes)

I am going to tell all of you about some great ideas on how to manage a team project successfully. There are several important steps that need to be taken to achieve success. The first and most important step is competence and the ability to trust each member of your team and their ability to manage time, their technical skills, and how well the team leader can take control of the project and delegate the work to complete the project. The next important aspect of a successful management is having a team with experience in working on team projects. This helps thoughts and ideas that are presented flow smoothly and will aid in the best ideas being chosen. It is tough when there are several people working on one project and there can sometimes be conflict throughout the group. This can easily be avoided when the team project leader sets a defined number of goals and objectives spread throughout the team. Once goals and objectives are set this will help things move smoothly and eventually at the end everyone will come together and the work is completed. Keep these tips in mind as you move throughout life because at some point in your job you may be asked to step up and lead a project to success

Creating Strong Professional Writing Skills

Grammar appears, at some point, in every persons educational experience. Some catch on quicker than others. Often times, those who struggle with composition and grammar possess a better strength in arithmetic and the sciences. Regardless of the path you choose to take in college, some form of professional writing will be a necessity for your future vocation. Even after we conquer Composition I and II we tend to forget some of the basic rules, which strengthen our writing skills. The website http://designsensory.com/pws/index.html offers a variety of incredibly helpful tips to insure that we as writers continue to write smoothly, strongly, and effectively. The web page Professional Writing Style provides twelve separate lessons on how to write well. After reviewing several of the lessons I learned that even a knowledgeable professional writing student can acquire more strength in his/her writing from these lessons. The lesson sections are titled as follows: Preferring Active Voice, Denominalizing, Trimming Fat, Reducing Jargon, Unraveling Adjective-Noun Strings and Reducing Preposition Sprawl, Using Parallel Form, Being Emphatic and Coherent, Using Modifiers, Choosing the Right Words, Mastering Punctuation, Using Ethical and Inoffensive Language, and Finding the Right Tone. Each of the lessons goes into extensive detail on its topic. Examples, explanations, and tips provide a simple refresher for readers. No matter what level of professional writing you have mastered, I highly recommend you visit this website and take something from it's fantastic offerings! 

Choosing Words by Michael Hirsch

Short strong words are better in many ways, they get to the point without any twist and turns, look better and are not as confusing. Choosing longer words might confuse the reader and will not look smarter or any better. As the video says, stop is a better word than discontinue, it’s more affirmative and gets a clear message trough.

Instant Messaging & Professional Writing by Juan Arnez

Everyone using instant messaging, right? Well it is extremely important to separate instant messages and text messages from friends and family and those from the work place. Allen Brizee says "Although instant and text/SMS messaging is beginning to supplant email for some groups' primary means of Internet communication, effective and appropriate email etiquette is still important. This resource will help you to become an effective writer and reader/manager of email" (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/681/01/) . To avoid problems, some companies have developed their own instant messaging programs, and only these are permitted on their computers. Always remember who your audience is and the 3 C's continue to be important. As informal as IM might be, you must still conduct yourself with all the elements of professional writing, if ever in doubt follow e-mail guidelines. Don't forget a subject line!

Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/681/01/

How to Write a Proper Email

by bjscott | Create your own Cartoon at www.toondoo.com

There is nothing worse than reading an email that isn't written properly, and the only thing worse than reading an email that isn't written properly is writing the email yourself. Here are ten tips to help you write an organized well planned email that the person receiving it will not only enjoy reading, but will also deliver your message in a clear concise way.

1. Be concise and to the point.
2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further question.
3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation.
4. Make it personal.
5. Do not attach unnecessary files.
6. Use proper structure & layout.
7. Do not write in CAPITALS.
8. Read the email before you send it.
9. Do not ask to recall a message.
10. Use a meaningful subject.

If you follow these easy but very important steps to writing a successful email you will be on your way to writing the perfect email.

Source: http://www.emailreplies.com/

The Importance of Citations in Writing - By Brett Trucksess

I chose to focus on the importance of properly citing sources when writing a paper that uses unoriginal ideas. There are two different styles of citation, MLA and APA, that are very important to familiarize ourselves with, particularly while we are still in college. This video provides insight as to how to properly cite sources from different places like books, magazines, websites, etc. It is extremely important to learn the fundamentals of citaion in order to avoid committing the offense of plagiarism. Following these simple steps can assure you that you will not be infringing on someone else's ideas, and that the information you have attained for your writing assignment is credited to the correct person.

The Importance of a Resume by Ingrid Fernandez

Some people ask why resumes are so important and why we must take so much time in learning about them. Well here's your answer. First of all, a resume is basically your first meeting between you and your desired employer. Afterall, you only get one time to make that first impression. You want to be remember as interesting and precise not boring and unorganized. Making resumes pretty much saves time for a company by not having to interview everyone -just the ones with the best resumes! Another thing why resumes are important is because it says a great deal about yourself. Your goal is to make sure you're telling the employer that you're the perfect one for the job. An effective resume will lead to a chance to get interviewed, which is the whole purpose of this. Once you turn that resume in and the employer likes it, they call you in. With a resume you have complete control over what the employer knows about you, of course like the toondoo says above, your accomplishments and qualifications. Be sure never to falsify imformation, it will be caught.


Source:
http://essayinfo.com/resume/resume_importance.php

Persuasive Writing in the Work Place by Tyler Reavis

Tips for Persuasive Writing
In order to get ahead in the corporate world it is important to know how to get your point across and effectively sell your ideas. While hopefully no one would be as inept as our comic friend Brian in writing a persuasive letter, it is important to note that how you write your letter has a huge impact on how successful you will be with getting your objective met. Below are a few more tips on how to write a great persuasive letter:

1. Focus on your Reader First. Think about his/her needs, wants, desires. What might their objections be to your proposal? How is your proposal likely to be received: with hostility, warmly, cautiously, neutral? Also consider who else may read your proposal besides the person whom you are addressing the letter to: your bosses superior, another co-worker, etc.

2. Consider your format. Some requests are simple enough that an informal email may suffice, other times you may need to compose a memo or a business memo.


3. Get Specific: Give specific and relevant information on your topic. Make sure that you have thoroughly researched before you make a proposal. Give the pertinent information, don't confuse your reader with unnecessary details.

Keep these tips in mind next time you want to persuade someone in the workplace and you may be pleasantly surprised by their response!

For more ideas check out: More Tips for Persuasive Writing.

Writing Effective Emails by Brett Diamond

Writing emails may seem like a small task, and a pointless thing to waste time learning about, but in actuality they are very important and must be done correctly. The first thing, anyone does, or should do is make the subject line. The subject line allows the reader to know the topic of the email before he/she even opens it. The subject line is similar to a Newspaper heading, and without a heading, no one would take time to read it. After you correctly make the subject line, start writing the email, making sure it is not to long, and stays on a certain topic. If you need to write an additional email concerning a different matter, it will be no problem because unlike letters, emails are free. After you have finished the body of the email, make sure to tell the reader how to respond, and what to respond to. It is also smart to include any contact information they may need including phone number and address.  

Citation

"Effective Email - How to communicate powerfully by email - Written Communication from Mind Tools." Mind Tools - Online Management Training, Leadership Training and Career Training - Right Here, Right Now. 06 Apr. 2009 .

Kevin Varnes Writing Manuals

"http://www.stc-phoenix.com/Rough%20Draft_Current/July05%20files/insdesign_july05.htm"


Now this does not seem like a very fun and interesting job to do. I am sure we all have read a policy manual right here on campus. The process of writing a manual takes time and must follow the three C's. When writing a manual you must be careful when you edit the policies and when making changes to the policy that you follow clarity, conciseness, and coherence. The policy manual must be straightforward and simple. Most people really don't spend much time reading the manual but there are some out there who will read a manual from front to back. If you are one of those people who do read them I am sure you want to be able to read it quickly and as painless as possible. The manual must have clarity so that it is understandable and easy to read. You want the reader to understand right away what you are trying to get across. You don't want the reader to have to stop and try to figure out what points you are trying to make. It is important when writing that you do not include unnecessary words or phrases. It is important to be exact and complete to make sure that the information is explained concisely. It can really help the reader if you are very coherent with the writing. Make sure the policys contain logic and have been thought through completely. I have included a link to information on writing a manual and some good tips to being a professional writer.

Job Interview Blog -Ingrid Fernandez

Source: http://www.jobopenings.net/interview_tips.htm

When attending a job interview, you need to make sure you prepared yourself correctly instead of just taking it on and seeing what happens the day of the interview. It's very important to sit down the night before and question yourself. Things like "what are your weaknesses?" and "what skills do you have that would benefit our company?" Employers are not just looking for someone who can come in and talk about themselves. They want to know what you can offer their company and how you will be an asset. Be prepared, arrive early, and make a good last impression are the 3 most important tips for a job interview. Your last impression is the one they remember and the one that they will most likely take into consideration. Interviews aren't that hard after all, but as my source says "Be yourself!" its the most important quality you have if the job is really for you.

Interviewing Success Tips

Job interviews are one of the most dreaded experiences in life, but with a little preparation and knowledge about what to expect and how to react, acing your interview will be easy! According to Employmentguide.com, there are six areas to focus on and prepare yourself for before stepping into an interview. 1) Research: Before you arrive at your interview, spend some time learning about the company you are interviewing for. Familiarize with the company's products and or services. Ask yourself what kinds of people work there. What types of hours does the job require? What are some of the day-to-day tasks that the job involves? It's also a good idea to write down any questions you may have about the company. That way you can ask the interviewer once the interview is complete. This shows extended interest and shows that you've done your research. 2) Practice: It may sound funny and even look funny, but there's nothing like practicing in front of a mirror or in front of a friend or family member. Standing in front of a mirror will allow you to see your own body language, so you'll know what looks natural and what doesn't. Ask your friends or family members to give you a trial interview, then ask them to critique your facial expressions, tone, diction, and body movements. Chances are they'll be honest and you'll feel comfortable performing in front of them. 3) Dress to Make a Good First Impression: There is nothing like the primacy effect (a first impression). First impressions can be the make or break moment for your future with a company. It is always smart to dress conservatively in business attire. Even if the dress code is casual where you are applying, it is a good idea to show them how you look in your best attire. The website suggests that wearing dark clothing gives a more professional vibe. It also says that you should avoid wearing flashy jewelry, excessive perfume, and flamboyant clothing. Don't forget to shower before your interview either! 4) Be Conscious of Good Interview Etiquette: These are the do's and dont's of an interview and should be quite obvious. Make sure you are on time, even a little early. Be aware of your body language (make sure your handshake is firm and confident). Keep the interview positive. Even when asked your strengths and weaknesses, reveal weaknesses that can be improved upon and that you are willing to work on especially if they conflict with job requirements. 5) Be Prepared to Ask the Interviewer Questions: This is where #1 kicks into play. Researching a company's background gives you insight for your future as at first an applicant and then as an employee. It isn't a good idea to turn the tables on the interviewer, but it is always appropriate to ask specific questions about the position (i.e. additional questions about the business, qualifications for the position, company codes of conduct, requirements, etc.)
6) Follow Up with a Thank You Note: Last, but not least it is important that you make your interest in the company known. Make sure the interviewer knows how pleased you were to have the chance to interview with him or her and thank them for their time. Being polite and professional always makes a good impression.

Each of these 6 tips comes down to 3 key points; be prepared, be professional, and be polite. These are the best ways to make the right impression, make you stand out, and nail you the job!

Job Interview Tips by Bryan Scott

A job interview is something that everyone will have to go through eventually in life. It can be something that is either a very stressful activity or something that you go in to well informed and prepared to impress the person interviewing you. Obviously it is better to go in well prepared, I will be giving you some tips to prepare you. First you have to make sure you practice so you are prepared to answer the types of questions you will encounter in an interview. a good tip is to "practice interview answers with a friend or a mirror." Secondly you will need to "dress conservatively and appropriately" it is important to look memorable but you want to be sure you are remembered in a positive light. Obviously you will need to "know how to get to your interview" it is important to have accurate directions so you aren't late. Which brings me to my next tip. "Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early" this will show the interviewer you are reliable and punctual. "Bring a notebook and pen, along with extra copies of your resume." Finally "eat a sensible meal before your interview." Its always easier to think on a full stomach. Follow these tips and you will have a successful stress free interview.

Here is a video giving you 10 tips. Check it out.



Sources: http://www.askstudent.com/career/job-interview-review-tips-and-tactics/

Job Interview Do's and Dont's by Tyler Reavis

Interviews can be a nerve wracking process. Being evaluated for a position, especially one that you really want, makes most people a little uneasy. The good news is that arriving prepared for the interview can greatly alleviate your stress and help to ensure successful interview. It is important to know what you can do to stand out as a promising applicant and maybe more importantly, what not to do so that you don't bring your chances for acquiring the desired position to a crashing halt. I've amassed a few very good Do's and Dont's for job interviews from various internet sources that should help you have a successful and stress free interview every time.

Do: 1. Dress Appropriately: This one should be pretty obvious for most people. Dress professionally and neatly for the occasion. If in doubt, err on the side of conservatism. Avoid bright flashy colors and patterns. Grooming should be impeccable. A black or dark grey business suit is appropriate when applying for most professional positions.

2. Arrive on Time: On time in the business world is usually five to ten minutes early. Arriving at 1:00 pm for a 1:00 pm interview is arriving late in most settings. Keep in mind that you may have to fill out paperwork once you arrive prior to the set interview time. Make sure that you know the exact time and location of the interview and allow yourself enough time to get there, park, and stop in the restroom to "freshen up" before the interview.

3. Be Respectful and Courteous at All Times: This goes for everyone that you encounter in the office or workplace that you are being interviewed. The people that you encounter other than the interviewer may be your future co-workers or supervisors and their opinion may be solicited in the hiring process. Of course, you should treat the interviewer with respect and professionalism. Make good eye contact and offer a firm handshake. Address the interviewer by their title (Mr., Ms., Dr., Prof., etc) and their last name unless invited to do otherwise. Also make sure that you pronounce their name correctly. If you are unsure of the pronunciation, ask.

Don't: 1. Don't Chew Gum, Smell like Smoke, or Wear Strong Scents: This one doesn't require much explanation. If you smoke, wait to do so until after your interview. Smelling like smoke is unprofessional and unacceptable for an interview. Wearing perfume or cologne might be fine for a date, but not for an interview. Your scent should be neutral.

2. Don't Bring Company to your Interview: Arrive alone to your interview. Leave your pet, parents, spouse, friends, enemies and anyone else at home. They are not being interviewed. If you are not independant enough to arrive alone at an interview then you are probably not independent enough to have a job.

3. Don't ask about Salary: Don't ask the interviewer about salary, vacation time, benefits, bonuses, pensions, or even lunch breaks unless the interview asks you about the subject first or unless you are sure that the interviewer wants to hire you. If the interviewer asks you it is acceptable to give a realistic desire range based upon your research of industry averages but avoid giving an exact number. Also indicate that you are not just interested in salary. Express your interest in working for the company and the opportunities that it will afford you for professional development and learning.

These are just a few tips. Many others could be added to this list. Below are some of the resources that I used to compile this list with many other great Do's and Dont's.

Sources:

Robert Half Interview Tips - Do's and Dont's

Virginia Tech- Interview Do's and Dont's

DiversityInc: 5 Job Interview Do's and Dont's

Job Interview Tips by Michael Hirsch

Do's and Don't's on Job Interviews. Appearance is number one, you have to be presentable in all the aspects. If not the interviewer will think you do not take them serious. Make sure you know where the interview will take place and give yourself enough time to get there ten minutes before. Do some research on the company and what type of interview it will be so you are prepared. Make a first impression with a respectful and educated greeting and a firm hand shake. Bring copies of your resume, but sell yourself as well. Make eye contact, stress your research about the company and achievements, let them know how you can help the company and also come prepared with intelligent questions. Avoid controversy topics, do not ask about salary or any benefits until you get an offer, do not chew gum, smoke, answer cell phone or comment about you negative aspects. End the interview by letting the interviewer know that you want the job and ask what is the next process. Take notes after interview, and write a thank you letter to each interviewer within twenty-four hours. Remember to follow up.

Source:
http://www.quintcareers.com/interviewing-dos-donts.html

Conducting An Interview by Brett Trucksess

I chose to focus on how to successfully conduct an interview as a potential employer. After reviewing a website I found at http://managementhelp.org/evaluatn/intrview.htm, I was interested to find that when conducting an interview, one should focus on using some or all of the six categories of questions. These six categories include, behavioral, opinion, feeling, knowledge, sensory, or background questions. Behavioral questions usually seek to find information about what the person has done or continues to do in their daily lives like hobbies or great experiences. Opinion questions are asked in order to find what the job candidate thinks about a particular topic that has at least two possible alternatives. Feeling questions look to find out about a persons emotions, what they value, and how conscious they are of their feelings in and out of the work place. Knowledge questions in an interview are used to find out simply if that person has the intelligence to maintain the position. Sensory questions ask the interviewee to respond using examples of how they saw, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted something. Finally, the last type of question that could be asked during an interview is a background question. Background questions usually are basic questions like age, race, hometown, nation of origin, etc. By using these six different types of questions, an interviewer has the opportunity to gain the information they need to make a hiring decision.

Job Interview Tips - Youtube clip and summary by Juan Arnez

Take one minute to watch the Youtube clip above. Although basic, the tips mentioned in the video can really help you before going on a job interview. The first tip "Know why you want the job" is a good start. The person conducting the interview is going to want to know WHY you are there and what goals you have in the company. This goes right into Tip # 3 which states "Think like an employer". This is crucial, since you put yourself in the company's position and begin to ask yourself some questions. I hope these tips come in handy and more importantly make you look at a job interview from a different angle.

Brett Diamond Job Interview Tips Toondoo

Hello First Bloggers, I have created a toondoo for you all to enjoy and learn from. The comic is short but informative on this weeks topic. Job interviews are very important and must be well prepared for. As i did a search, i found information on how to prepare. As the comic shows, it is best to learn about the company you are being interview for. Who would want to hire someone who does not know what they will be doing? It is also a smart idea to know the interviewers name, and use that while being interviewed. The interviewer will find more interest if he/she can see that you have done your proper research. Many times, people may get nervous during an interview and that will only cause trouble. The more calm you stay, the easier you will talk and be able to answer any questions you are asked. As kevin stated in his post, it is important to leave with a strong impression. Always give a firm handshake, with full eye contact, and follow up with a thank you card. 

Source Citation:                                                                                                                                                                 Doyle, Alison. "Job Interview Tips - Interview Tips and Advice." About.com Job Searching - Job Search and Employment Guide. 30 Mar. 2009 

Kevin Varnes Voki Job interview tips

Job Interview Tips (Kevin Varnes 1st blogger)

Hello all! I am going to mention some important points about job interviews. I think we can all agree that a job interview can make us all very nervous and uneasy. There are some things that we can do to alleviate those feelings. The first thing which I hope everyone knows to do is dress to impress. I would have to say in all formal business interviews a suit or jacket should be required. Now I can't really speak for the ladies but I am sure a business suit will do just fine. There is truth to first impressions when interviewing for a job. Making sure you are well groomed is also a plus. These points are obvious and I hope everyone follows them. A couple of other quick points to remember are to be prepared for the interview. Make sure you have a few copy's of your resume and a pen with you. It also helps to do some research on the company you are interviewing for in case questions about the company are thrown your way. It is important to be on time which means five to 10 minutes early. During the interview remain calm and look the person in the eye and remain attentive. After the interview a firm handshake is always a plus. A final important tip after the interview is to make sure you follow up with a thank you card. I hope these simple tips will help us all to succeed in our future!

Still a bit confused

Hi everyone, 

I feel like I am still a bit confused. I've clearly figured out how to post blogs, but how do we know what we are supposed to write our blogs on each week? Is there a schedule/syllabus somewhere? Are we supposed to wait for the leader to tell us? How long do the posts have to be? Please help me understand! 

Thanks,

Carissa

Ingrid

Hey guys,
I'm right with the post above, I haven't quite figured this out yet. If anyone has please contact me so you can teach me. I believe we were supposed to post a blog for the last week but I only see 1 post from our group. This week we also have to post our 2nd blog. What should that be about?

Thanks,
Ingrid

Bryan Scott Week 1 - Resume writing first blog post

Applying for a job usually a stressful event, wondering if you will get the job or not, preparing for the interview, and preparing a strong resume. My aim is to make this time just a little less stressful for you. On average the person reading your resume will spend 20 to 30 seconds reading your resume. So you have an extremely short amount of time to catch the readers eye and make them spend that extra second reading your resume that could make the difference between acceptance and rejection.
Follow the tips in the video above and start making your resume stand out from the rest.

Designing your resume layout

Designing your resume layout by Juan P. Arnez

As a graphic designer (by hobby), I pay close attention to document layouts. The topic for this week concentrates on different aspects of writing a resume. Lets face it, we will all have to write a resume at some point. In the business world it is a must to have one, and like anything else that you present to your future employer - you WANT to impress them. I decided to brainstorm about a few options when selecting a layout.

• Traditional, one-column resume layout
• Two-column resume layout
• Left-aligned resume layout
• Centered resume layout
• Indented resume layout

Many forget to think about such things. The end result could leave you with a well written resume that never made it past the first look - all because of a poorly designed layout.

Hi FirstBloggers! Great Contributions so far. I think we are off to a great start. Well I can't seem to figure out how to upload a youtube video, however when I do I will be sure to edit this post. In the mean time, if you click here, there is a video with some interesting resume related content that might be worth checking out. The presenter in this video had some suggestions that I thought were good and were beyond the scope of what was discussed in our text. For example she suggested mailing your resume in a large letter sized envelope that wouldn't require you to fold the resume. She also suggested that keeping the formatting, letter head, and page setup the same or a least cohesive on all resume documents, i.e. the cover letter, references, resume, etc. While some of these things might seem trivial or to be "nitpicking," I believe that making sure that your documents have a polished and professional appearance is extremely important and says a lot about you as a candidate for an employment position.

Hi everyone, I'm not exactly sure if everyone has figured this thing out. I am still very confused. I don't even know if what I'm typing will show up! Anyways, I hope we figure this out soon... 

I thought I would put this video up as an example of what NOT to do when submitting a resume. Although this is a "video resume", it is still important to have your own resume organized with a heading, job objective, qualifications summary, education, employment experience, related skills and abilities, honors and activities, references, and possibly portfolios. (p.547) The man in this video may in fact have included many or all of these categories, however he ran into a problem by not using the 5 C's. This video resume is hardly clear or concise. I personally could only make out a few words he was saying. If there is a serious speech or langauage barrier between you and your potential employer, it may be best to use a medium like writing in order to fully express your qualtifications for that employment. Although the video may be pretty funny, it still portrays the message of how important it is to be clear and concise about the position you are applying for and the reasons that you should be hired for that position.

Kevin Varnes Resume Comments

Hello all of my FirstTeam bloggers. I think we are on a roll now! This is a great place to share resume ideas and to check out some informing videos about how to properly compose an effective resume. I took a look at what youtube has to offer and their are plenty of ideas and examples that everyone should take a look at. I wanted to share some thoughts with everyone on creating a good and effective resume. I have a friend of the family who is a very successful and well established CPA in the Naples area. He started is own auditing firm and ran it successfully for over twenty years. Now I believe that everyone who is in the position to hire has their own method of reviewing a resume, and maybe professor you can comment on this, when he looked over the hundreds of resumes' the most important thing to him was that is was very short and concise. He explained to me that he never wanted to spend more than five seconds looking at it. He knew right where to look and what to look for. If it looked like a book to him or longer than one page, in the shredder. If you passed the first five seconds your resume would make it to the pile on his desk for a phone call and an interview to follow. As he told me, he had work to do and money to make. Oh, and always hire people smarter than you!

Brett Diamond Resume Writing Using Bullets.

Hello First Bloggers, I searched youtube and found a video that runs (2:25 mins) that teaches the viewers the importance of using bullets. Although this video is short is it very specific. It tells the viewers to use bullets as much as possible on a resume. Recruiters at a company spend very little time reviewing the resume, so make it possible for them to see the importance easily. We all wrote resumes in this class, and most of us have used them outside of school. It is said that using paragraphs in a resume is overwhelming for the reader and does not get to the point. The writer should include what the employer wants and needs to hear. 

Just a test

Pretty cool huh, just checkin things out here. Have a great weekend everyone!