10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time

I recently got my marks back from University. My grade point average was a 4.2 out of a possible 4.5, resting between an A and a perfect A+. In itself, this isn’t an incredible achievement. But I managed to do this while spending only a fraction of the time studying than many of the people I knew.

Is it just natural talent? Perhaps. I’ve always had a knack for understanding concepts and learning new ideas. But I also believe the way I learned the information played a role. Instead of cramming last minute or memorizing details, I try to organize information in a way that makes it easier to recall.

This strategy of organization I label holistic learning. Holistic learning is simply the process of organizing information into webs, that interconnect ideas. Instead of forcing ideas into your skull, you focus on the relationships between information. Linking ideas together to see the whole, instead of just the parts.

Building an Understanding

Learning is a process similar to building a house. You aren’t fed the complete picture. Limitations on communication prevent the instantaneous transmission of knowledge. Instead you listen to lectures, read textbooks and take painstaking notes to try and comprehend a subject.

You are fed building supplies, bricks, mortar and glass. It is up to you to assemble the building. Unfortunately, most learning strategies fall into two basic types:

1. Memorization - Instead of building anything you simply stare at each brick for several minutes trying to record its position.
2. Formulas - This is the equivalent to being blind, fumbling around a new house. You can’t see the building itself but you learn to come up with simple rules to avoid walking into walls.

There is nothing particularly wrong with either of these strategies, assuming they aren’t your entire strategy. The human brain isn’t a computer so it can’t memorize infinite sums of knowledge without some form of structure. And formulas no longer work if the questions they are designed to solve change scope.

Learning Holistically

The alternative strategy is to focus on actually using the information you have to build something. This involves linking concepts together and compressing information so it fits in the bigger picture. Here are some ideas to get started:

1. Metaphor - Metaphors can allow you to quickly organize information by comparing a complex idea to a simple one. When you find relationships between information, come up with analogies to increase your understanding. Compare neurons with waves on a string. Make metaphors comparing parts of a brain with sections of your computer.
2. Use All Your Senses - Abstract ideas are difficult to memorize because they are far removed from our senses. Shift them closer by coming up with vivid pictures, feelings and images that relate information together. When I learned how to do a determinant of a matrix, I remembered the pattern by visualizing my hands moving through the numbers, one adding and one subtracting.
3. Teach It - Find someone who doesn’t understand the topic and teach it to them. This exercise forces you to organize. Spending five minutes explaining a concept can save you an hour of combined studying for the same effect.
4. Leave No Islands - When you read through a textbook, every piece of information should connect with something else you have learned. Fast learners do this automatically, but if you leave islands of information, you won’t be able to reach them during a test.
5. Test Your Mobility - A good way to know you haven’t linked enough is that you can’t move between concepts. Open up a word document and start explaining the subject you are working with. If you can’t jump between sections, referencing one idea to help explain another, you won’t be able to think through the connections during a test.
6. Find Patterns - Look for patterns in information. Information becomes easier to organize if you can identify broader patterns that are similar across different topics. The way a neuron fires has similarities to “if” statements in programming languages.
7. Build a Large Foundation - Reading lots and having a general understanding of many topics gives you a lot more flexibility in finding patterns and metaphors in new topics. The more you already know, the easier it is to learn.
8. Don’t Force - I don’t spend much time studying before exams. Forcing information during the last few days is incredibly inefficient. Instead try to slowly interlink ideas as they come to you so studying becomes a quick recap rather than a first attempt at learning.
9. Build Models - Models are simple concepts that aren’t true by themselves, but are useful for describing abstract ideas. Crystallizing one particular mental image or experience can create a model you can reference when trying to understand. When I was trying to tackle the concept of subspaces, I visualized a blue background with a red plane going through it. This isn’t an entirely accurate representation of what a subspace is, but it created a workable image for future ideas.
10. Learning is in Your Head - Having beautiful notes and a perfectly highlighted textbook doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the information in it. Your only goal is to understand the information so it will stick with you for assignments, tests and life. Don’t be afraid to get messy when scrawling out ideas on paper and connecting them in your head. Use notes and books as a medium for learning rather than an end result.

5 Minute Summer Makeup

It’s hot. Your skin is sticky. You can’t imagine putting heavy makeup on your face in this heat. But, you know you need something. Here are some tips for putting together a summer makeup routine that will leave your skin glowing.

Create lasting colour. The hot weather can wreak havoc on your makeup. When you sweat, your makeup fades. Wash your face with an oil controlling formula and follow up with a light foundation. Apply an oil controlling product to reduce shine. Before applying the rest of your makeup, use a large powder brush to apply some pressed powder. This will help create a solid base for your makeup.

Ditch the heavy foundation. If you think it is too hot to use foundation, you can either skip it or mix a little in with your moisturizer. This will give you some coverage without the heaviness. You can also use a powder foundation which also gives you light coverage and can also control oil. Also make sure to use a little concealer on your under eye circles, if needed. If you want to wear heavier foundation, look for a product that controls oil.

Use bronzer. Bronzer is a great way to give your skin that healthy sun-kissed look without the sun damage. Apply it with a large powder brush on your forehead, cheeks, and nose for a more realistic glow. If you normally apply self tanner on your face, skip this step.

Add colour. Apply blush and eye makeup just as you normally would, but remember not to apply as much as you would in the winter. Choose lighter colours in oil control products whenever possible. If you plan on going in the pool or hitting the waves at the beach, use waterproof eye makeup.

Just because it is hot and sticky doesn’t mean you can’t have lasting makeup. Choose products that will help create a healthy glow and control oil. Pick colours that are flattering but not too bold. With the right techniques and colours, you can create a flawless look that will stay on all day.

Source: http://www.marcell.com.au

Top 10 Travel Tips

1.Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive free e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.
2. Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.


3. Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online or at the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate once you arrive, so we can contact you in an emergency.
4. Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards.
5. Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.
6. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.
7. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines.
8. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
9. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas.
10. Before departing Australia check whether you are regarded as a national of the country you intend to visit. Research whether holding dual nationality has any implications for your travel.

Source: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au

Advice to an Undergrad

Advice to an Undergrad
PASADENA CA - As a staff scientist at The California Institute of Technology (CalTech), I'm pretty isolated from the undergraduates. Caltech has many more graduate students and post-doctoral research fellows than actual college students, and we often joke that it's difficult to spot an actual undergraduate student around campus (are they all in the library or the lab all the time?) But the other day I happened to attend a meeting across campus and ended up having lunch in the main dining hall, surrounded by chatty, active, lovely undergraduate students.


It was great to be back in a real dining hall again. The conversations going on around me were just like I remembered from college: part gossip, part trying to impress each other with how deep and philosophical you are, part shared-anxiety and comfort seeking about the stresses of college life ("Did you hear about the quantum mechanics mid-term? I heard the class average was 35 percent. Someone got an 80 percent, though ..."). It was amazing how familiar it all seemed, but I guess it shouldn't surprise me. I went to Harvard for my undergraduate studies, and the atmosphere of any selective, competitive school is bound to be similar to any other one.

Now, don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time at Harvard, but recently I've found myself thinking about how I would do things a bit differently if I could go to college all over again. In many ways, I wasn't very well prepared, as a young Midwestern woman, for the atmosphere and challenges of a prestigious university. I could have used some good advice about what to expect from college, and what to watch out for.

The real problem I faced in college was intimidation. Strangely enough, the source of this intimidation wasn't the world-class Harvard professors, the highly competitive students, or the amount of work expected of me. It was me. Somehow, during the course of my college career, I managed to work myself into this extreme state of self-doubt, anxiety, and abject fear that I was about to ruin the rest of my life. I bit my nails to the quick, hid from professors in the hallways, and lived, constantly, with the utter certainty that I was screwing everything up. I know it didn't seem that way from the outside (I did manage to complete an astrophysics major, and many of my friends thought of me as self-confident and well-organized), but my main memory of undergraduate life is fear.

Now, with a doctorate and a good amount of professional success under my belt, I can't help but look back and wonder what the heck I was so worked up about. Why was I so worried? How did I ever get the idea that failing a test would somehow ruin the rest of my life in the first place? To be sure, universities don't usually go out of their way to alleviate the stress. It was constantly reinforced that being at Harvard was a 'Huge Honor' and a 'Great Opportunity'. That may be true, but it's also worth putting things in perspective. So, from the vantage point of someone who survived college and beyond, here are a few things that I wish I knew before I started.


1. You are not an idiot if you don't understand something right away.
Wow, there were so many classes where the professor had lost me in the first five minutes, but I never asked a single question. Everyone else was studiously taking notes and nodding like they understood everything (which, by the way, I was too), that I was sure I'd be stoned if I asked a question. I know that sounds strange, but somehow I'd gotten the idea into my head that I was the only one that was lost. I spent entire courses, lecture after lecture, completely lost and sure it was all my fault.

2. You have a right to extra help.
In college, I felt that asking questions and getting extra help was an admission of failure, as well as a nuisance for the professor (and it was way too embarrassing to start out with "I haven't understood a single thing you've said this semester ..."). What I would do now if I got lost during a lecture, seriously, would be to go to the professor's office after class and refuse to leave until I understood the lesson. It is their job to teach you, and speaking as someone who has now taught college physics, I was never offended by a student spending extra time, even hours, with me to learn a lesson. It may be inconvenient for the professor, but you (or more accurately, your parents) are paying good money for this. You are the customer; never forget that.

3. Good scientists are often bad teachers.
Remember who's doing the teaching in most science classes: scientists. Now, that professor may have been hired because they published sixty papers in five years, but they may not be able to teach their way out of a paper bag. In short, a good researcher does not necessarily (and in fact, not usually) make a good teacher. This is good to keep in mind for some perspective when a class seems confusing or overly difficult. It's not that you don't have the capacity to learn quantum mechanics, it's just not being presented in a manner that gives you much chance of learning it. Ask the professor, during an office visit, to try and put things in a different way, or start from more basic principles. Try talking to a graduate student or a tutor, anyone who can communicate more effectively, instead.

4. Get under someone's wing.
Try hard to find some professor who can act as a mentor to you, even if you're not actually in one of their classes. I did a couple of individual research projects with some of the astronomers at Harvard, which turned out to be extremely worthwhile. Not only can they help you with questions or problems you may be having in class, but they will often become an advocate for you. Individual relationships are key. A faculty advisor, either formal or informal, can help you get help, provide emotional support, suggest resources, and provide advice. My advisor (still love you, Dave Latham!) even helped me apply and get into graduate school.

5. Take a minimum number of classes in your area of study.
This may seem like strange advice, but let me explain. In most colleges, there are prescribed courses that you need to take to fulfill a "major". I majored in astrophysics, so every semester there were two or three courses I had to take. There was also a smattering of required, general education courses, like writing, history, basic philosophy, and such. But then there were some unassigned credits, where I could take any class I liked. Most of my friends who were doing a physics major decided to take extra physics courses. I took Icelandic literature (no joke!), Japanese art, and human behavioral biology, among others. I can not tell you how much the random, extraneous classes I took in college enriched my life. Not only did these classes provide welcome variety to my education, they've also provided me with a good understanding of many different fields, and gotten me started on some wonderful, life-long hobbies. Believe me, in graduate school I had the opportunity to take any and every course in physics I could ever have wanted. In retrospect, I should have learned more languages, practiced more art and studied more history.

6. Mistakes and failures will not ruin your life.
Life in college feels overwhelmingly, painfully, latent. Your performance now, it seems, will set you on a path or either wild success or dismal disappointment for the rest of your life. Baloney. Don't delude yourself into making college such a be-all and end-all. Yes, work hard and get the best grades you can, but remember that nothing you do, even totally screwing up an exam or failing a class, will lead to a life of misery. For science students, I offer this small but significant statistic: everyone I know who wanted to go to graduate school did go to graduate school. No one, not even people who picked up a few bad grades (including myself) was left out in the cold. Doing well in college is no guarantee that your wildest dreams will come true, and conversely, making a few mistakes in college will not ruin the rest of your life.

7. This is not the best time of your life.
Our culture puts those "golden college days" on quite a pedestal. By all accounts, this is the time of our life when we are at our most beautiful, most promising, most talented. This is where we form friendships that will last the rest of our lives, find our mates, even find ourselves. Talk about stress! There are some truly unique joys about being in college. Living in the dorms and having a ready-made social life was a blast. Learning new things every day, burning the night oil in dusty old libraries, walking over the Charles River to the stadium on a gorgeous fall day to watch a football game. Great stuff. It would be fun to do it all again, but only with the confidence, strength, and wisdom that I've found long since my college days. Would I go back to that same time and be that same person? Not on your life.

Michelle Thaller | csmonitor.com

Some tips to score high on the TOEFL

(svduhoc.org)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language- the TOEFL is not so much different from any kind of sport including soccer or basketball. The test requires you some skills in listening, reading and writing as well as the skill to control the test formats and timing. However, a high-performing soccer player or TOEFL test taker needs more than just these basic skills to score the goal or get the high mark. That is Strong Mental Preparation before the very important test. Throughout my years of observation, this is the very factor that draws the line between the score of 600 and 677. Do you want to know how to do it? Let me share with you some of my findings:


1. First Thing First is to set up a realistic timeframe: The plan should include when you want to take the test. The time frame should not be too long to make you bored, or too short to make you unprepared. For me, the ideal period is 3 months when you are at your peak performance.

2. Begin With The End In Mind: you should clarify the target score you want to get. The score should be Realistic and Attainable. If you want to score 630, write it down and buy it into your heart and to your mind. Recall it before you start to do anything in the morning. Just by doing this, you have finished half of the process. No commitment, No involvement.

3. Try to put you in the real testing situations as much as possible. If you are lazy, higher scores on the TOEFF is unrealistic. You often need to put you out of your day-to-day preparation for 3 hours, sit down and take the practice tests just as you will have to do on the actual test day. Take it seriously. Then, do it over and over again. You will soon find out that you are making progress day after day. The science of psychology proves that human brain forms habits naturally after certain routines of practice. The more you
practice, the more you will see your testing skills getting better, your judgments becoming faster and more accurate. “Practice makes perfect” and as a result, perfect practice makes perfect progress.

Another factor, which determines higher score on the TOEFL, is your “biological clock”. If you feel comfortable and energetic working in the afternoon, you should register the test in the afternoon. If the test will be in the morning, from now on, try to wake up and start working early in the morning.

4. Last but in no way least is Physical Preparation. The TOEFL test will certainly consume you a lot of energy. Staying focused and giving good adjustments during the test require you to have very strong brain stamina – the body strength in the testing conditions. So, make sure you exercise regularly, have good diet and adequate rest well before the test day. Strong physical preparation will determine whether you will hit the high score.

I hope that you will find these insights helpful to you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at neosystem@hn.vnn
Good luck and happy scoring!

mikenguyen

Elementary Web Sites for English Language Learners

by Judie Haynes

Attention all elementary ESL and classroom teachers! Do you want to discover great web sites for the English language learners in your class? Here is a painless way to give students English language practice in the classroom or at home.

There are not many websites designed especially for elementary-age English language learners. In order to provide these students with extra practice in English, it is necessary to examine sites intended for English native speakers.

How do students use these sites? First, I introduce a web site in ESL class and allow students to try out a few activities. In order to do this, you will need to have a computer in your room or access to a computer lab. I use wireless laptops in my room so that students can each look at their own screen.

Directions for accessing the site are handed out. Students then work on the site on their own in their mainstream classroom or, if they have a computer, at home. They print out results or make a screen shot and bring it to me the next day. Some games can not be printed or saved. In that case, I ask students to practice a skill for homework and do the game again quickly in class the next day. In some cases, the information on a site will need to be modified for English language learners. Some of the sites listed will not be suitable for beginners in a particular grade cluster.

Here is a list of some of the sites my students are using.
Sites for Grades 1-2
Starfall.com- Reading instruction and reading games for students in Pre-K-1. It's hard to believe this site is free.
Reading is Fundamental.This site has many stories for Pre-K-2 students.*
Kid's Lab -Great site with tons of terrific activities. Try the reading comprehension section.*
Storyplace.org -a site with online stories and activities. Grades pre-K-Kindergarten.*
Online Story Time-This site is more for teachers but has many online stories. It is advertised as a pre-school site but the stories are suitable forK-1 students.
British Council Stories -This site has many stories that are read aloud. Check for spelling and pronunciation differences.
Games on PBS Kids - Games for K-2. "WordPlay" can be used for students in grades 3-4.
Arthur -Sequencing activity where students hear a story and put pictures in order.
Printable Games -For readers in Grades 1-2.
Storyline Online -A terrific site with stories read by actors from the ScreenActors' Guild. Grades 1-4.*
Reading-A-To-Z - This is a commercial site with free books that you can download and print. Grades 1-4.
Raz-kids.com-Reading and listening activities for elementary age students.*
Tumblebook Library - Click on "stories." A large collectionof stories from the Los Angeles Public Library. All grades.
Clifford - Activities pre-K-2.Try the reading and writing section with students in grades 2-3.
Videos - Short Clifford videos. Click on "See and Hear." Grades K-2.
Berenstain Bears Games and Songs - Great activities for young children including word games, songs and puzzles. Grades K-2.
Game Goo - Learning that sticks - Great learning games for young children. Grades K-2.
The Reading Lady Includes short plays for students in grades 1-2.*
Calgary Public Library. See Children's Talking Tales for Grades 1-2.*
Enchanted learning Printable books and for students in grades K-4.
Kiz Club Printable books and for students in grades K-1.
Sites for Grades 3-5
MadLibs for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5
Reading is Fundemental. Look at the writing activities for students in Grades 2-5.
Grammar Gorillas for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5
Stories for Kids for Advanced Beginners in Grades 3-5
Bookhive.com -This site has multicultural children's stories told by famous storytellers. Be sure to click on "Listen to a story." For Grades 2-5
Songs for Kids - Grammar songs for students in Grades 2-5.
Postcards from Buster - See Buster’s adventures from various places in the U.S. Each city has video, audio, map skills and games. Grades 3-5.*
Kid's Lab -Terrific site with many great activities. Try the Science vocabulary section.
Arthur -Games from Arthur. Grades 2-5.
Captain Underpants - Make a comic. Grades 2-4
Scholastic - A program for kids to make flashcards. Grades 3-8.
Surfing the Net with KidsSite with games and puzzles in different subject areas.
Write a book report - Students make a book report sandwich. Grades 4-8.
Spelling Wizard - Use spelling words to make a word search or sentence scramble. Grades 3-6.
Tumblebook Library - Online stories read from the Los Angeles Public Library. All grades.
Poetry - Gives examples of different types of Poetry.
Science vocabulary - Label pictures using science vocabulary. Grades 4-8.*
Songs and Rhymes- Songs for students in all grades.
Songs for ELLs with words.*
Grades 3-12.
Word Game Intermediate students in grades 5-8.
Owl online This is a good grammar site for 6-12
FunBrain reading Intermediate students in grades 5-8.
Zoom - Games, activities and science experiments from the TV Show Zoom. Grades 4-6.
U.S. Symbols - U.S. Government information from Ben's Guide. Grades 3-5.
Social Studies Vocabulary Games - Vocabulary from U.S. government. Grades 3-5.
Spiders. Spider activities for kids. Gr. 3-6.
Sites for Grades 4-8
Jamestown Adventure.Students become colonists and make decisions about how to run their colony. Grades 5-12.*
Listening Activities - Designed for older students but pronunciation and listening activities could be used for students grades 4 and up.*
BrainPop-This site has some free sections to teach grammar. Look up "nouns" and watch the video. Grades 5-8.
ESLbears-A site for beginning students. Exercises in pronunciation, reading and vocabulary. Grades 3-8. *
Multicultural Stories -Stories from around the world by Nick Jr. Grades 3-8
Brainteasers, Puzzles and Riddles - Kids' page from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Grades 5-8
Translation Site - Students can bookmark this site to translate words from English to their native language. Grades 3-12.
Interactive games and activities- Social Studies Games from Ben's Guide to the U.S Government. Grades 5-8.
Audio Comprehension - An audio concentration game for Grades 4-12.*
Homophone game - Match homophones in this concentration game.* Grades 4-8.
Wordsearches - Wordsearches on U.S. Presidents. Grades 4-8.
Movie Trailers Listening activities using movie trailers for Grades 5-12.
ESL and Archie Comics - Lesson plans and comic strips for Grades 5-12.
Vocabulary Vocabulary games - From Interesting Things For ESL Students, aa collection of vocaabulary games for Grades 6-12.
Source: http://www.everythingesl.net

Read Along Stories and Songs!

Now you can read along with stories and sing along with songs right here on the RIF Reading Planet. Choose from the titles below.

Stories:

Croak Went the FrogCroak Went the Hog & Oink Went the Frog
A frog and a hog do not get along. Read this story to find out what happens when they get into trouble and have to see a judge.



Drippy the IcicleDrippy the Icicle
Do you ever wonder what it is like to be an icicle? Read this story to learn about what happens to Drippy the Icicle.



River OtterRiver Otter
This story is an entertaining and educational story that you can read to learn about river otters.




BlueLined SocksBlue Lined Socks
Read this story about a science experiment that finds its way into the wrong place -- a boy's laundry basket!.




MuskratMuskrat Mix-Up
A family of beavers discovers that a baby muskrat has gottn mixed up with all of the baby beavers.



Test TroubleTest Trouble
Tests! Tests! Tests! Read along to find out how this boy deals with his fear of taking tests.




Captain CaitlynCaptian Caitlyn to the Rescue
Meet Captain Caitlyn. She loves to help all of the animals in her neighborhood. Learn about her adventures one rainy morning.




Nat and PatNat and Pat Have a Spat
Try this rhyming story about Nat, Pat, and their spat about cats!





Story Songs:

Barnyard BabiesBarnyard Babies
Sing along with this story to learn about barnyard babies and count how many are on the farm.


If I Were a FishIf I Were a Little Fish
Sing along with this catchy tune about underwater life.




Stories and Songs in Spanish:

RebotaRebota Ants Las Hormigas Negras Y Rojas

Sing along with these traditional children's songs from Latin-America.

o
Los Elefantes
Elephants, elephants, galore! This counting song is a favorite for all children.
o
Pimpón
This well-behaved doll, keeps out of trouble by staying clean and not making a mess.
o
Naranja Dulce
This song sings of parting being sweet sorrow, but its actually a popular playground game.

FlashPlease note: You need to have a plug-in called Flash installed on your computer to view the stories. It is free, and it is easy to download. If you don't have it, just ask your parent for help. Click the button to the right, and follow the instructions.

Grown-ups, what do you think of these stories? Would you like to see more of these on the website? Please consider making a donation to RIF to help us continue to offer these online resources. If you have comments about these stories, please email them to kids@rif.org.

Tips on Communicating

by Judie Haynes

Show your school's mainstream teachers and students how to communicate with your newcomers from the very first day.

Mainstream teachers and students can communicate with new non-English speaking students from the very first day. ESL and bilingual teachers will find it worth their time to help them learn to communicate. When classroom teachers communicate with newcomers, that communication must to be comprehensible.

Show them how to use drawings, gestures, actions, emotions, voice variety, chalkboard sketches, photographs, and visual materials to provide clues to meaning. Adding visual and kinesthetic support along with the language will provide additional comprehensible input.

Encourage mainstream teachers and students to allow your new learners of English translation time when listening and speaking. Explain that newcomers are translating the language they hear back to their native language, formulating a response and then translating that response into English.

Remember that there will be times when you will not be able to get an idea across to newcomers. Give each classroom teacher a list of students in your school who speak the newcomer's language. You will be able to call on these students to act as translators if necessary.
Provide clues to meaning
Use drawings, dramatic gestures, actions, emotions, voice, mime, chalkboard sketches, photographs and visual materials to provide clues to meaning.
If necessary, repeat your actions using the same simple structures and actions.
Simplify your message as much as possible breaking them into smaller, manageable parts to give newcomers a chance at comprehending.
Make sure the student's attention is focused.
Don't insist, however,that students make eye contact with you when you are speaking to them. This is considered rude in many cultures.

Modify your speech
Talk at a slow-to-normal pace, in short sentences.
Use a pleasant tone
Use simple sentence structure (subject-verb-object) and high-frequency words
Use names of people rather than pronouns.
Pause after phrases or short sentences, not after each word. You do not want to distort the rhythm of the language.
Avoid using the passive voice and complex sentences.
If you have something important to convey, speak one-on- one to the newcomer rather than in front of the class. The anxiety of being in the spotlight interferes with comprehension.
Ask simple yes/no questions so that newcomers have an opportunity to respond.
Accept one-word answers or gestures.

Be an active listener
Give full attention to your newcomer and make every effort to understand his / her attempts to communicate
Smile
Talk in a calm, quiet manner. Raising your voice does not help comprehension
Demonstrate your patience through your facial expressions and body language.
Give your ESL students extra time to respond.
Encourage new learners of English to act out or to draw pictures to get their meaning across.
Don't jump in immediately to supply the words for the student.
If the student response is heavily accented, correct by repeating the words correctly. Do not ask the student to repeat the correction. This can be very embarrassing.
Resist the urge to over correct. This will inhibit newcomers so that they will be less willing to speak. Allow students to use a bilingual dictionary for words that can not be acted out.

Check comprehension frequently
Don't ask "Do you understand?" unless you have taught it. This is not a reliable check since many students will nod "yes" when they don't really understand.
Teach the phrases (or have a bilingual volunteer teach them) "I don't understand," "Slowly, please," and "Please repeat."
Write down messages so students have a visual as well as auditory input. Make a list of phrases you want your student to learn and to understand. Ask a bilingual volunteer to work with the student on those phrases.

Source: http://www.everythingesl.net

The Difference between Day and Evening Makeup

Makeup is a fun way to enhance your best features and make you look beautiful.

Whether you are going on a big date or just spending a day running errands, make up makes you look and feel glamorous. There are so many different colours and products on the market, you can achieve a variety of looks for both day and evening.

What is the difference between day and evening makeup? Well, when applying makeup, you always need to take into consideration the amount of light you will be exposed to. The more light that will be in your environment, the more subtle your makeup needs to be or else you will end up looking overdressed.

Day makeup needs to be subtle and balanced. Neutral shades work best because they are subtle yet still define and enhance your features. If you have a feature you would like to focus on, you can wear colours that are a little bolder. Just remember not to overdo it. For example, black eyeliner is a great way to enhance your eyes, as long as you apply it with a light touch and keep the rest of our eye makeup more subtle. If the line is too thick or too dark, natural sunlight of florescent lights will make your eye makeup look thick and artificial.

Evening makeup can be more dramatic, especially if you are attending a party or function where the lights will be dim. Don’t be afraid to wear bold colours and experiment with new products. If you love to wear the latest makeup trends, this is the best time to wear them. Pick your best feature and wear the boldest colours. If you love your eyes, wear two coats of mascara and bold eyeliner. Your evening lipstick shade can also be bolder than your daytime lipstick shade. However, even though you can wear darker colours and a more dramatic look in the evening, it is possible to overdo.

Day makeup and evening makeup differ because you can wear bolder colours and a more dramatic makeup look in the evening. If you need help choosing colours and looks for different occasions, consult with a makeup artist or other expert for advice.

Source: http://www.marcell.com.au

Wedding Makeup that Lasts

On your big day, you want your makeup to last. Not only that, but you want to look stunning in your photographs. In order to insure that your makeup will last as long as possible, it may be best to hire a professional to take care of it. However, here is some advice to keep in mind even if you do hire a makeup artist.

Get rid of extra shine. A shiny face looks even worse in photographs, especially if the photographer uses a flash. After washing your face, apply an oil controlling product. After that absorbs, apply a thin layer of loose powder. Apply foundation and the rest of your makeup as usual. Follow up with another thin layer of loose powder. Carry some pressed powder with you so you can control any shine as the day progresses.

Use a makeup base. Several cosmetic companies offer products that go on under your eye makeup or lipstick that help your makeup last. Eye makeup base provides a layer that your eyeshadow and eyeliner can adhere to. This prevents creasing and helps the colour stay on longer. They offer similar products for lipstick. However, try to find a lipstick base that is also moisturizing. Some products contain ingredients that dry the lips out. You’ll need your lips to stay nice and moist so you can smile all day.

Lasting lipstick. One of the first things to fade is your lipstick. Follow these tips that will help your lipstick last. First, apply a moisturizing lip base. Then, apply lip liner in a shade that is a little darker than your lipstick. Use a soft pencil. Fill the lips in with the pencil. Apply one coat of lipstick and blot gently. Apply another coat of lipstick but this time do not blot. Press a thin layer of facial tissue gently to your lips. Using a large brush, apply a thin layer of pressed powder to the tissue. The tissue acts as a screen, letting in only a small amount of powder. The powder helps the lipstick set and keeps it on longer.

Pack a makeup bag. No matter how hard you try to create a lasting look, you still may need to do some minor touchups throughout the day. Pack pressed powder, lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow just in case your colour needs a boost.

Source: http://www.marcell.com.au

Cover Letters

If the resume is the piece of paper that gets you to the interview then the cover letter is the one that will get the employer to read the resume. So the resume and cover letter share the same goal- to get your employer to pick you! The best cover letters spark the employer’s interest and create an impression of competence.

Just like what you did with your resume, you should study the employer's requirements and needs first before you start writing. Once you have those points, put the most important items first and support this with facts and examples. The key is to demonstrate to the employer how your background, education, work experiences and abilities can meet the needs of the employer.

You should never send a resume without a cover letter unless specifically instructed to do so by the employer. Sending a resume without a covering letter is like starting an interview without shaking hands. The main purpose of the cover letter is to introduce your resume and highlight the main points that are most relevant to the job being advertised.

The key to a good cover letter is to personalise the letter. It is more effective if you do some research on the company before hand and write a cover letter that is tailored to the company and the job position.

Your cover letter should provide the following details.

• Why are you writing?
• Why are you interested in the job?
• Why would the company be interested in you?
• What is your next step?

These questions should be answered in 3 main sections of your cover letter.

1) Introduction
Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing to the employer. In the introduction you should name the position or field of the job being listed. If someone has suggested you get in touch with the employer then do mention the recommendation. If you are responding to an advertisement, refer to it and the source that published it. In a sentence or two explain why you are the best candidate for the job (talk about your skills).

2) Body
In the body section, match your background to the experience and skill requirements of the job position. It's is good if you can talk about your experiences that relate to the job at hand. You should identify your strengths, accomplishments and results. Do not repeat what is stated in your resume. Instead, summarise your most relevant qualifications or provide additional details about a noteworthy accomplishment.

3) Closing
Your closing should be brief. You can end the letter with an active statement, such as an offer to contact the employer within a specific period of time, usually one or two weeks. You have to be proactive and continue to keep your name in the interviewer’s mind.” It is crucial that you provide details for them to reach you; this is usually by phone and/or email. Close the letter by thanking the reader for their time and consideration.

Cover letter tips

• Like the resume, the cover letter should be written specifically targeted towards the job at hand. Do not write one cover letter and send it to everyone.
• Cover letters are suppose to highlight your talents and experience.
• This can’t be stressed enough - your cover letter, like your resume, should be perfect! Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Don’t rely on your computer’s spell check. Get a friend or teacher to read it over for you.
• Every cover letter should fit on one page.

Sample Cover Letters

Below is a sample cover letter. Use this sample cover letter as a guide for your own. Remember, the best cover letters spark the employer’s interest and create an impression of competence. Keep it brief and to the point.

Click here for more sample cover letters

Joe Bloggs 567 current address Melbourne, 3000 03 9999 9999 June 2, 2004 Ms. Christine Techie Manager for Employment Simple Travel Melbourne 3000 Dear Ms. Techie, (If possible address your letter to a specific individual) (State position applied for) The management trainee position you advertised in today’s The Age greatly interests me. The Simple Travel has always served as a landmark for me when I travel. I would like to contribute to their continued growth. I have enclosed my résumé for your review. (Sell yourself ) In May (2004), I will be graduating from RMIT University with a degree in business. While in school, I developed strong organisational and customer service skills. As a dormitory assistant, I organized events, led meetings, and assisted students. As treasurer of the Business Society, I maintained the budget and presented budget reports. My summer jobs also required extensive interaction with the public. I believe these experiences have prepared me for your management trainee position. (Request an interview) I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications more extensively in an interview. I can be reached at 03 9999 9999. Thank you for your consideration. (Place your phone number near the end) Sincerely, John Ryan (Sign your cover letter)

more Sample Resumes

Resumes for Executives

Profession	Sample
Banker	Banker Resume
Chief Financial Officer	Chief Financial Officer Resume
Chief Financial Officer	Chief Financial Officer Resume
Fashion Executive	Fashion Executive Resume
Human Resources Executive	Human Resources Resume
Manufacturing Manager	Manufacturing Manager Resume
Marketing Executive	Marketing Executive Resume
Software Executive	Software Executive Resume

Resumes for Professionals

Profession	Sample
Accountant	Accountant Resume
Administrative Assistant	Administrative Assistant Resume
Artist - Specialty Resume	Artist Resume
Attorney - Patents	Attorney Resume
Attorney - Corporate	Attorney Resume
Career Transition - Law	Law Resume
Career Transition - Sales	Sales Resume
Career Transition - Public Relations	Public Relations Resume
Career Transition - Teacher	Teacher Resume
Copy Editor	Copy Editor Resume
Technical Editor	Technical Editor Resume
Mechanical Engineer	Mechanical Engineer Resume
Process Engineer	Process Engineer Resume
Exporter	Exporter Resume
Financial Sales	Financial Sales Resume
Interior Designer	Interior Designer Resume
Investment Analyst	Investment Analyst Resume
IT Specialist	IT Specialist Resume
Multimedia Developer	Multimedia Developer Resume
Sales Resume	Sales - Real Estate Resume

Entry Level Resumes

Profession	Sample
Business	Business Resume
Business	Business Resume
Finance	Finance Resume
Music	Music Resume

Sample Resumes

We have some sample resumes below. Click for sample functional resume and sample plain text resume.

Sample Chronological Resume

Use this sample resume if you want to highlight your pass work experiences and duties you had in previous jobs.

Joe Bloggs
Current Address 567 current address Melbourne, 3000 Contact: 03 9999 9999 Email: joebloggs@email.com		(Horizontal lines help define different sections)
Objective
To obtain a position in public relations using my communication and promotional skills
Education
RMIT University (City Campus) Bachelor of Arts, English, expected 2005 Related Courses Public Relations Marketing Consumer Behavior The Language of Advertising Writing for Mass Media Writing for Business		(Students often list education before experience)
Experience
Program Coordinator Campus Activities Council, RMIT University (Use bullet points to emphasize accomplishments) Initiated and organized the Campus Run for Charity Promoted event with fliers, e- mail, newspaper ads, and campus radio station announcements 1,000 students participated (Good to show your acheivement) Campus Tour Guide Office of Recruiting, RMIT University Led weekly tours for prospective students and parents Wrote information sheet explaining campus- housing policy Answered questions and addressed concerns Selected to train new guides Administrative Assistant CBLA Business, National Bank, CBA Used Microsoft Word and Excel to type and edit reports Drafted correspondence Complimented for accuracy and attention to detail		(Give approximate dates of employment) 98- present (Most recent job first) 97- 98 96 and 97
Skills
Fluent in Chinese (Mandarine) Fluent in Italian Computer Skills (Words, Access, Excel) References available on request

Resume

The resume is probably the most important tool you have to sell yourself to a future employer. While you may meet all the required skills necessary to succeed in a particular job position, it is of no use to you if an employer decides to rejects your resume. You have about 30 seconds to impress your employer before he/she decides whether to throw your resume in the bin

So how do you create a resume that gives you every chance of success? First of all, an effective resume needs to be job specific. It needs to meet the employer’s stated requirements for the position posted. It is important that you recognise what skills and experiences are necessary for a particular job and highlight those in your resume.

Before you begin writing that perfect resume, it might be a good time to look at some of the misconceptions associated with resume writing.

Resume misconceptions

1) You can put together the perfect resume and use it for every job application. Wrong!
One resume that you dust off and send for every job, no matter how "good," works even less than a pair of pants labeled "one size fits all." Resumes need to be tailored for the specific position and company. Don’t use the same resume for every job application.

2) The way to land a job is to blanket the earth with your resume. Eventually, the resume will spark a job offer. Wrong!
This is one of the least productive methods to find a job. Sure, if you send enough resumes and wait long enough, then yes, eventually you may get a job offer this way. But few people want to take those kinds of chances and wait that long.

3) Resumes need to stand out to be noticed. Use fancy fonts, boxes, unique spacing and layout. Wrong!
Scanability is key. You have about 30 seconds, so don’t make your employer spend 20 of them figuring our what goes where. Companies today more commonly opt for scanning resumes and placing them in a computer database. Complicated formatting would cause your resume to be illegible, you may as well have thrown your resume in the bin.

Source: http://www.acpeople.com.au

Resume Writing

Writing a resume for a particular job isn’t always easy. The hardest part is probably starting the resume writing itself. So, before you actually start your resume writing you should think about what you want to do, what image you want to project to the employer and how your past experiences relate to your current aspirations.

It is always a good idea to scribble some of your experiences onto a piece of paper. Remember, the employer is thinking “Why should I speak with the person, how is she/he different from all the other applicants?” Don’t think you have any experience? Then think again. Do a brainstorm and think about,

• Education
• Activities
• Interests
• Work experience
• Honours and awards
• Skills and Abilities

In each heading, think, “What did I do?” and write it down. Once you have all that on paper you should start focusing on bits that are important to the job at hand. Remember a resume's purpose is to show how well you fit a particular job and NOT your life story.

When writing your resume remember that you have about 30 seconds to impress, so write in clear and concise sentences. Now, in the list you wrote above, write a short and concise sentence for each. Each sentence should be structured so that it is interdsting and compelling. You should use actions verbs at the beginning of each of you sentences.

Signs of a great Resume

Below are some features of a great resume and something to look out for when writing your own resume. Never let poor resume writing affect your chance of getting a job.

Targeted: The more targeted a resume is the more chances you have of getting that interview. Employers want to know exactly what you can do for the company. It is important that you tailor each resume to each job (It will only take a few sentence to do this). Get rid of any information that is not required for a particular job. This will alleviate the tendency to over crowd your resume will too much non-related information.

Well written: It is important that your resume makes an impression with the employer. Use action words, such as, established, implemented, created and streamlined. This will add that extra boost to your resume.

Consistent: Be sure that your resume is logical and easy to read. Be consistent with everything, such as the spacing, margins and borders. You should emphasise your important points with text styles such as a different font, italic or underlining.

Summarised Qualifications: This is perhaps the most important section in your resume. The job objective or summary of qualifications will point out your top selling points. Many users will neglect this point and will miss the opportunity to get noticed, fast.

Self-promoting: Don’t be shy; show your employer your accomplishments, skills and abilities. Employers want to too see that you can indeed perform the job at hand. Show them by letting them know about your experiences and how others have benefited from your productivity.

Abbreviations: Abbreviations should be avoided. It is unprofessional and many are not universally accepted.

No personal stuff: Personal data such as height and weight is unnecessary and seen as unprofessional.

Grammatically correct: Poor grammar is the quickest way for your resume to end up in the ‘rejection pile’. Do not trust your computer’s spell check. Read every word yourself and get someone to read it as well. Spelling mistakes and typos suggest tthat your standard of work will be of the same poor quality.

Source: http://www.acpeople.com.au

Job Interview Questions, Tips, Answers and Advice

Below are more questions to help you prepare for you interview. Each section gives a situation, a sample question, appropriate answer and advice for those questions.

1. Question regarding “Personal Weakness”
More often than not, you will be asked about your weaknesses in an interview. If this seems daunting, follow the interview tips below;

Sample Question: "Looking at your own resume, what do you think your weaknesses are regarding this job?"

Answer: “I believe that my skills and abilities are a good fit for this position. Do you have any specific concerns?"

Advice: Take the opportunity to turn the question around and find out what they think your weaknesses are.

2. Question regarding “Hard Work Ethics”
When interviewing with companies, you will often be asked questions that seem straightforward to answer. However more often than not - a ‘yes’ ‘no’ answer is not good enough. Always try to back up what you are saying with examples, as this will validate what you are trying to say.

Sample Question: "Would your current boss describe you as the type of person who goes that extra mile?"

Answer: "Absolutely. In fact, on my annual evaluations, he writes that I am the most dependable and flexible person on his staff. I think this is mostly because of my ability to prioritise."

Advice: Share an example or experience that demonstrates your dependability or willingness to tackle a tough project. If you describe "long hours of work," make sure that you prove the hours were productive, and not the result of poor time management.

3. Question regarding “Standing Out”
Often in an interview, you will be asked to separate yourself from other candidates who may be more qualified or may be less of a risk-factor.

Sample Question: "What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that our internal candidates don't offer?"

Answer: "Because I've worked with the oldest player in this industry, I can help you avoid some of the mistakes we made in our established markets."

Advice: This question addresses your motivation in adding "true value" to the job. Evaluate the job carefully, considering current limitations or weaknesses in the department and your unique abilities. Your ability here to prove "I offer what you need and then some" could land you the job.

4. Being Specific
Sometimes in interviews, you will be asked questions that lend themselves to be answered vaguely or with lengthy explanations. Take this opportunity to direct your answer in a way that connects you with the position and company, and be succinct and support your answer with appropriate specific examples.

Sample Question: "Why did you choose this particular career path?"

Answer: "I chose advertising because I have always been a strong communicator with a good eye for design. I have a particular interest in creating dynamic eye-catching pieces that support a new product being introduced to the market. I also like the fast-paced high-energy environment that seems to be commonplace in the advertising industry."

Advice: You answer needs to convince the interview that your skills are exactly what they want. They want to know if you have a realistic view of what it is like to work in their industry. Be specific; show them that their industry and your career goals are in sync

5. Tough questions regarding your past
There may be times an interviewer may ask a question regarding your past that can he hard to dodge. You should answer these carefully and try to come up with answers that can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive response.

Sample Question: I see that you didn't finish school.

Answer: "I decided to leave school because I was working 30 hours a week waiting tables to support myself. I felt that I did not have enough time to devote to my schoolwork. When I do anything, I always give 150%."

Advice: The interviewer is trying to gauge what kind of a risk you are. So you tend to complete things or just let them fall by the waist side? Give a good reason why you did not finish or explain why any issues related to it are in the past.

6. Questions about how you can “Contribute to the company”
Before an employer makes his/her decision to hire you, they will need to know how you have performed in the past and any other special contributions that you can bring to the company

Sample Questions: "Tell me about a special contribution you have made to your employer."

"In my last job, I ran the Fund raiser campaign for three consecutive years. I believe it is an important cause, and I know it is difficult for the company to find volunteers."

Advice: Don’t give long boring answers, instead focus you answers on the actions you took and the positive results that you obtained.

7. Questions regarding “Helping the Company”
When you are looking for a job, an employer will want to know what you can do to help or improve their company. Now is the time to tell them of your proven skills and knowledge that you gained at some of your other previous jobs.

Sample Question: "Give me an example of how you can help my company."

Answer: "In my previous career my biggest contribution was my ability to accurately measure customer satisfaction and to continually feed this information back to our design and production departments. I developed special questionnaires, used focus groups and personally spent 10% of my time talking to customers. This attention to customer satisfaction is relevant in your industry as well. I look forward to adopting my quality program to a new type of product."

Advice: Use an example of a significant contribution you made in your past job that impacted the bottom line. Show how this ability transfers across industries from one functional area to another.

8. Questions regarding “Salary Expectations”
Everyone wants to make a lot of money working the job they love. You should be honest here, saying that you will be ok working for $30,000 when you think you are worth $40,000 is not a very smart idea. Experience will show that you will lose interest in the job pretty quickly.

Sample Question: "Tell me about your salary expectations."

Answer: "Current salary information published by our State Association indicates a range of $30,000 to $40,000 a year. While I'm not certain how your salaries compare to this industry, my feeling is that my value would certainly be in the upper half of this national range."

Advice: You should answer this question in general terms. Mention the market value for yourself.

9."In Five Years…"
Employers will want to know your drive and a sense of what your future holds for you. They would prefer to hire someone with a sense of purpose. Employers may ask you to describe what you see yourself doing in the years to come, whether you will be at one company or another. Telling them you see yourself doing their job may not be the best way to get hired.

Sample Question: "Where do you want to be in five years?"

Answer: "In five years, I would like to have progressed to the point where I have bottom-line responsibility and the chance to lead an operations unit."

Advice: Avoid the urge to describe job titles; this makes you seem unbending and unrealistic, since you do not know or control the system of promotion. Describe new experiences or responsibilities you'd like to add in the future that build on the current job you are applying for.

10. Question regarding “Previous Bosses”
There will be times in an interview where questions about past co-workers and old bosses will pop up. Telling them how pathetic and bad they are is generally a bad career move.

Sample Question: "Tell me about your relationship with your previous bosses."

Answer: "My bosses would tell you that I've often been a sounding board for them. With all of my bosses, I developed a close rapport."

Advice: The interviewer is looking for a fit between the two of you. As you describe each previous boss, the interviewer will be making mental comparisons between your old bosses and themselves. Be honest but never sound too negative as your employer may consider that as you being a hard person to work with.

Source: http://www.acpeople.com.au

After the interview

Job interviews usually last about 20-40 minutes. Be conscious of this, however do not look at your watch. Always let the interviewer initiate the close of the job interview. Try to detect signs that the interview may be coming to an end so you can finish your interview strong.

When you come out of the interview room, you should review how you went. A good idea is to jot these ideas down. Ask yourself the following questions. How could you have done better? What do you think you handled well? What didn’t you do well? Were there any surprises during the job interview process? By noting these down you are actually using it as a building block towards further improving your interview skills. Learn from any mistakes you make and make a conscious effort to fix them in future.

If you want to know how you well you performed during the interview, you may want to call the interviewer after the job interview. You can ask them about your strengths and weaknesses. They will be able to explain to you why they did not think you were suitable. Use their comments in a constructive manner.

Once the interview is over, it is a good idea to write a thank you note. Thank you notes can influence the interviewer as well as maintaining a strong network of connections.

Source: http://www.acpeople.com.au

Interview Questions

To assist you with your job searching process we have listed for your information 10 popular interview questions.

10 Popular Interview Questions

1) "Tell me about yourself?"
This is not an invitation to ramble on. If the context isn't clear, you need to know more about the question before giving an answer. In such a situation, you could ask, "Is there a particular aspect of my background that you would like more information on?" This will enable the interviewer to help you find the appropriate focus and avoid discussing irrelevancies.

Whichever direction your answer ultimately takes, be sure that it has some relevance to the world of your professional endeavours. The tale you tell should demonstrate, or refer to, one or more of your key behavioral profiles in action--perhaps honesty, integrity, being a team player, or determination. If you choose "team player" (maybe you're the star player on your team tennis group), you can tell a story about yourself outside of work that also speaks volumes about you at work. In part, your answer should make the connection between the two, such as, "I put my heart into everything I do, whether it be sports or work. I find that getting along with teammates--or professional peers--makes life more enjoyable and productive."

Or you might describe yourself as someone who is able to communicate with a variety of people, so give an example from your personal life that indicates an ability to communicate that would also apply at work.

This isn't a question that you can answer effectively off the cuff. Take some time in advance to think about yourself, and those aspects of your personality and/or background that you'd like to promote or feature for your interviewer.

2) "Why do you want to work here?"
To answer this question, you will need to have researched the company and built a dossier. Reply with the company's attributes as you see them. Cap your answer with reference to your belief that the company can provide you with a stable and happy work environment--the company has that reputation--and that such an atmosphere would encourage your best work.

"I'm not looking for just another paycheck. I enjoy my work and am proud of my profession. Your company produces a superior product/provides a superior service. I share the values that make this possible, which should enable me to fit in and complement the team."

3) Why should I hire you?
Your answer should be short and to the point. It should highlight the areas from your background that relate to current needs and problems. Recap the interviewer's description of the job, meeting it point by point with your skills.

Finish your answer with: "I have the qualifications you need [itemize them], I'm a team player, I take direction, and I have the desire to make a thorough success."

4) "What did you like/dislike about your last job?"
The interviewer is looking for incompatibilities. If a trial lawyer says he or she dislikes arguing a point with colleagues, such a statement will only weaken--if not immediately destroy--his or her candidacy.

Most interviews start with a preamble by the interviewer about the company. Pay attention: That information will help you answer the question. In fact, any statement the interviewer makes about the job or corporation can be used to your advantage.

So, in answer, you liked everything about your last job. You might even say your company taught you the importance of certain keys from the business, achievement, or professional profile. Criticising a prior employer is a warning flag that you could be a problem employee. No one intentionally hires trouble, and that's what's behind the question. Keep your answer short and positive. You are allowed only one negative about past employers, and only then if your interviewer has a "hot button" about his or her department or company; if so, you will have written it down on your notepad. For example, the only thing your past employer could not offer might be something like "the ability to contribute more in different areas"

You might continue with, "I really liked everything about the job. The reason I want to leave it is to find a position where I can make a greater contribution. You see, I work for a large company that encourages specialisation of skills. The smaller environment you have here will, allow me to contribute far more in different areas." Tell them what they want to hear--replay the hot button.

Of course, if you interview with a large company, turn it around. "I work for a small company and don't get the time to specialise in one or two major areas."

5) "What would you like to be doing five years from now?"
The safest answer contains a desire to be regarded as a true professional and team player. As far as promotion, that depends on finding a manager with whom you can grow. Of course, you will ask what opportunities exist within the company before being any more specific: "From my research and what you have told me about the growth here, it seems operations is where the heavy emphasis is going to be. It seems that's where you need the effort and where I could contribute toward the company's goals." Or, "I have always felt that first-hand knowledge and experience open up opportunities that one might never have considered, so while at this point in time I plan to be a part of [e.g.] operations, it is reasonable to expect that other exciting opportunities will crop up in the meantime."

6) "What are your biggest accomplishments?"
Keep your answers job related. You might begin your reply with: "Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with . . . I made my contribution as part of that team and learned a lot in the process. We did it with hard work, concentration, and an eye for the bottom line."

7) "Can you work under pressure?"
You might be tempted to give a simple "yes" or "no" answer, but don't. It reveals nothing, and you lose the opportunity to sell your skills and value profiles. Actually, this common question often comes from an unskilled interviewer, because it is closed-ended. As such, the question does not give you the chance to elaborate. Whenever you are asked a closed-ended question, mentally add: "Please give me a brief yet comprehensive answer." Do that, and you will give the information requested and seize an opportunity to sell yourself. For example, you could say: "Yes, I usually find it stimulating. However, I believe in planning and proper management of my time to reduce panic deadlines within my area of responsibility."

8) "Why should I hire you?"
Your answer should be short and to the point. It should highlight areas from your background that relate to current needs and problems. Recap the interviewer's description of the job, meeting it point by point with your skills. Finish your answer with: "I have the qualifications you need [itemize them], I'm a team player, I take direction, and I have the desire to make a thorough success."

9) "How do you take direction?"
The interviewer wants to know whether you are open - minded and can be a team player. Can you follow directions or are you a difficult, high-maintenance employee? Hopefully, you are a low-maintenance professional who is motivated to ask clarifying questions about a project before beginning, and who then gets on with the job at hand, coming back to initiate requests for direction as circumstances dictate.

This particular question can also be defined as "How do you take direction?" and "How do you accept criticism?" Your answer should cover both points: "I take direction well and recognise that it can come in two varieties, depending on the circumstances. There is carefully explained direction, when my boss has time to lay things out for me in detail; then there are those times when, as a result of deadlines and other pressures, the direction might be brief and to the point. While I have seen some people get upset with that, personally I've always understood that there are probably other considerations I am not aware of. As such, I take the direction and get on with the job without taking offense, so my boss can get on with her job. It's the only way."

9) "What is the most difficult situation you have faced?"
The question looks for information on two fronts: How do you define difficult? and, what was your handling of the situation? You must have a story,one in which the situation was tough and one which will allow you to show yourself in a good light. Avoid talking about problems that have to do with co-workers. You can talk about the difficult decision to fire someone, but emphasise that once you had examined the problem and reached a conclusion you acted quickly and professionally, with the best interests of the company at heart.

"What are some of the things that bother you?" "What are your pet hates?" "Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job."

These questions are so similar that they can be treated as one. It is tremendously important that you show you can remain calm. Most of us have seen a co-worker lose his or her cool on occasion--not a pretty sight and one that every sensible employer wants to avoid. This question comes up more and more often the higher up the corporate ladder you climb, and the more frequent your contact with clients and the general public. To answer it, find something that angers conscientious workers. "I enjoy my work and believe in giving value to my employer.

10) "Do you prefer working with others or alone?"
This question is usually used to determine whether you are a team player. Before answering, however, be sure you know whether the job requires you to work alone - then answer appropriately. Perhaps: "I'm quite happy working alone when necessary. I don't need much constant reassurance. But I prefer to work in a group--so much more gets achieved when people pull together."

More Interview Questions

Questions about your qualifications

• How do you think a friend or someone who knows you well would describe you?
• What do you think is your greatest weakness?
• Can you summarize the contribution you would make to our organisation?
• What accomplishment has given you the most satisfaction?
• Tell me about your experiences at school.
• What has been the most rewarding university experience?
• Please tell me about the greatest professional assignment you've ever handled.
• Tell me about your most significant work experience.
• How would those who have worked with you describe you?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• Have you ever supervised anyone?

Questions about your ability to work for the Company

• Why are you interested in this job?
• What do you know about us?
• What qualities should a successful manager possess?
• In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
• What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?
• Are you a team player?
• How do you handle conflict?
• How do you work under pressure?
• What major problem have you encountered and how have you dealt with it?
• How competitive are you?
• What do you expect from your supervisor?
• Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him or her

Questions about your career choices

• What are your long-term career goals? When and why did you establish these goals and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
• What are the most important rewards you expect in your business career?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• What kind of salary are you looking for?
• Are you willing to relocate?

Difficult to answer questions

• Did you ever have a group leader or boss you disliked? Why did you dislike him/her?
• How would someone who dislikes you describe you?
• Talk about a group situation in which there were problems. How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome? What role did you play in the group? How could the group improve its performance?
• Tell me about a time when you experienced a failure and how you reacted to it.
• Tell me about a time when you were under considerable pressure to meet one or more goals.
• Describe a situation where you had to resolve a problem at work and explain how you resolved it.
• Give me an example of how you are a risk taker.
• If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
• What motivates you?
• Why do you want to work for us and not for our competitor?
• Why should we hire you over everyone else we spoke to today?
• What do you think is the most important/difficult ethical dilemma facing corporations today?
• Give a one sentence positioning statement of yourself.
• How do you go about deciding what to do first when given a project?
• Tell me about an experience you have had in a working environment (school, work, or community).
• Describe a situation where you did not agree with something your boss asked you to do and how you resolved the problem.
• Can you work under pressure?
• What did you like/dislike about your last job?
• What would you like to be doing five years from now?

Job Interview

The job interview is one of the most important part of the job search process; it can also be the most daunting. The fact that you were requested for a job interview is very encouraging and suggests that the employer has seen something in the resume that he/she likes. However, it's not all one sided. This process will help you determine whether you like the job as well, and to see whether the job is a good “fit” for both parties.

The interview is giving you a chance to convince the employer that you are the best person for the job.The goal of the job interview is to show the employer that you have the skills, background, and ability to do the job and that you can successfully fit into the organisation and its work cultures. Employers do not usually hire on merits alone, they will look for an individual who is confident, enthusiastic, positive and is an effective communicator. Showing these qualities are all vital to the job interview process, so be prepared.

The job interview is a communication process, if you can impress your employer with your communication skills, experiences, and interests then there is a good chance that the employer will remember you. It is important that you can show the employer how you can be an asset to the company.

Interview Tips

Job interviews can be a stressful process but they don’t need to be, especially if you have prepared well in advance. Below are some job interview tips you can follow. As with all things, preparation is the key. Take these interview tips with you and practice them with a friend or family member and remember, you can never prepare enough.

Don't be late. There is no worse way to begin an interview

First impression counts. You should dress suitably. Wear your best work outfit. The things to remember are cleanliness, simplicity and no strong or 'loud' colours. Do not chew gum or smoke.

Be yourself. Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your experiences and skills. Be professional, but don't be afraid to let your personality shine through.

Listen carefully. There is nothing worse than to ask a question that the employer has already talked to you about. You will want to remember what you learn about the job, and you will want to answer the questions that were asked.

Address the job criteria. Nervous energy is good but not if you come to the job interview unprepared. It’s to your advantage to carefully research the job and the company. This can be done in many ways. You can request information personally, or go to the company’s website for material about job descriptions and company annual reports.

Be positive. Don’t talk about your bad feelings or give any excuses about a negative experience. If you are asked why your grades are low, then don't give excuses, instead, focus on stating the positive facts and what you have learnt from your experiences.

Be poised. Pay attention to non-verbal behavior. Look the interviewer in the eye, sit up straight with both feet on the floor. You should also control nervous habits such as fingernail biting and giggling.

Practice makes perfect. This maxim can’t be more true with job interview. Make sure your answers are clear and succinct. You should practice answering with a friend or with your family members. When practicing avoid terms such as “like” and “you know” and don’t sound too rehearsed, as though you have memorised each answer.

Ten Tips - Studying

Ten Tips - Studying

Make studying a part of your everyday school routine and don't be limited to 'cramming' for exams and tests.

1.Establish a routine

Set aside a particular time each day for study and revision and stick to it.


2. Create a study environment

This should be away from interruptions and household noise, such as the television. Ensure there is adequate lighting and ventilation, a comfortable chair and appropriate desk.


3. Set a timetable

With a timetable you can plan to cover all your subjects in an organised way, allotting the appropriate time for each without becoming overwhelmed.


4. Look after yourself

Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and eat healthy foods. Keep sugary foods to a minimum. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Regular physical exercise makes you feel great, boosts your energy and helps you relax. So try to keep up regular sporting activities or at least fit in some regular exercise as often as you can.


5. Reward yourself for studying

Watch your favourite television program, spend time with your friends, walk to the park and play sport throughout the week.


6. Have variety in your study program

Study different subjects each day and do different types of work and revision in each study session.


7. Avoid interrupting your concentration

Have all the appropriate materials with you before you start a session of study to minimise distractions.


8. Test yourself on what you have studied

Ask your parents or family members to quiz you on what you have learnt, use draft questions from books, past assessments or major exam papers.


9. Don't panic at exam time

If you have followed a study routine and have been revising your class work, there should be no need to worry. Try to keep yourself calm, positive and confident.


10. Ask your teachers for guidance

Especially if you're having trouble - whether it's grasping a new concept or understanding something you learnt earlier in the year. They will be happy to help.

Source: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au