Skills Still Matter (1)

Do you have the skills to get the job you want?

So often it's about being in the right place at the right time. And for landing a great job, add to that mix possessing the right skills to make the ultimate impression.

But those right skills aren't always what you think. Take, for instance, active listening, listening comprehension and critical thinking. Who takes a class in active listening? Yet listening to what other people are saying and asking questions is important in many of the nation's fastest growing jobs.

"These are also skills that are useful in almost any industry and occupation," says labor market analyst and New Jersey author Laurence Shatkin. Shatkin studied the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest employment projections anticipated through 2022 to see what skills dominate the occupations that will be growing fastest. He summed them up and put them in descending order.

Other skills in the top 10 are: speaking, monitoring, coordination, social perceptiveness, writing, service orientation and judgment and decision-making.

Some of the skills are difficult for people to develop on their own. For instance, critical thinking is often learned as part of a larger curriculum or course.

Info Cloud
Sometimes students approach us and ask how can I become a good writer in English? Here’s our secret, read, read and then when you’re done reading, read some more.

Whether you’re trying to write in a foreign language or in your mother tongue, good writing starts with reading.

It’s true, all good writers started as good readers. Think of it this way, to have anything good coming out of your pen, you first need good stuff going into your brain.

That’s why it’s important, to find and read the best authors dead and living, find the best material all and new and get it into your brain.

As you read, take the things that grab your attention and study them, figure why you like them and then incorporate them into your own writing style. Go ahead, it’s okay to imitate, but don’t plagiarize. Eventually you’ll find your own voice.

That’s right. Writing is a lot like learning to play an instrument or learning to draw or paint. When you begin, you’re encouraged to study the masters but then after sometime and much practice, you’d discover that you’ve developed your own unique style.

Language Lab
ultimate adj.
/ˈʌltəmət/
greatest or most extreme — used to say that something or someone is the greatest or most extreme example of a particular type of thing or person
- Men think marrying a girl is the ultimate expression of their commitment.
- Johnson views his girlfriend breaking up with him as the ultimate failure in his life.

critical thinking 
using or involving careful judgment about the good and bad parts of something
- Critical thinking is crucial for a journalist. He or she should report a situation without any bias.
- The course aims to sharpen trainees' critical thinking skills.

projection n. 預測, 推測
an estimate of what might happen in the future based on what is happening now
- Our team successfully achieved our last quarter's sales projection.
project v.
/prəˈʤɛkt/
to plan, calculate, or estimate (something) for a time in the future
- Due to higher oil prices, the company's expenses are projected to rise by two percent.
project n.
/ˈprɑːˌʤɛkt/
a planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make something new) and that usually requires a lot of time
- This project will be finished by next week.

perceptiveness n. [noncount] 動察力, 理解力
having or showing an ability to understand or notice something easily or quickly
- This anchor is well received for her keen perceptiveness and compassion in her reports.
perceptive adj
/pɚˈsɛptɪv/
- This article is a very perceptive critique of the movie.

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Should I Put This on my Resume? (3)

5. Objective
"Never put an 'objective,'" Hurwitz says. "The real objective is to get the job. If it is too generic, it means nothing. If it is not a perfect match for the job, the employer will ask herself, 'Why is he applying if he wants something else?' It's a waste of space and has no advantage."

6. A photo
If you're pursuing a modeling career, it's understandable that you would want to share a photo of yourself with the prospective employer. For most other jobs, leave the photo off. If information isn't relevant to a job, you wouldn't include it, so why would you share a photo when your appearance has nothing to do with the position?

7. Quick response code
QR codes are growing in popularity as a tool to connect employers with a candidate's portfolio or Linkedln profile. If you're submitting it online, skip the QR code, but if you're handing out hard copies - at a career fair, for example - including one might help you stand out. And don't just include a QR code for show - it should link to something interesting and applicable. Connecting the employer to an online replica of your resume or a poorly written and sparsely updated site won't score any points.

Info Cloud
diacritic n.區別發音符號、變音符號(有些是外來語，現在許多符號已省略了。)
1.(上加符號)來標示，如resume n.履歷表  fiance n.未婚夫
2. (用兩個點)來標示，如naive adj.天真的、幼稚的
3.(字尾下方)來標示，如facade n.(建築物的)正面、前面、外觀

Language Lab
objective n.目標、目的   adj.客觀的
- Our next quarter's sales objective is 2 million dollars.
我們下一季的銷售目標是兩百萬美金
- As a news reporter, you should stay as objective as possible.
身為一位新聞記者，你要盡量保持中立。


generic adj.普通的、一般的
- This generic drug works as well as that well-known brand.
這個一般的藥，和知名藥廠的藥是一樣有效的。
- The couple lives in a generic California house with white walls and a swimming pool.
這對夫妻住在普通的加州房子裡，有白色的牆和游泳池。


applicable adj.合適的、可以應用的
apply v.應用
- This management style is not applicable in Asian countries.
這種管理方式，在亞洲國家是行不通的。
- This free medical insurance is only applicable to low-income families.
這種免費的醫療保險，只適用於低收入家庭。


sparsely adv.稀疏地、稀少地；不足地、貧乏地
- The sparsely attended meetings made the owner of the company very angry.
大家很少參加公司的會議，讓老闆非常生氣。
- The military base is a located in a sparsely populated area.
這個軍事基地座落在人煙稀少的區域


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Should I Put This on my Resume? (2)

3. A disability: 
"There is a common and not unfounded fear that revealing a disability may lead to not being selected for a position. This makes the disclosure choice a difficult one," says Barbara Otto, executive director of Think Beyond the Label, a national collaborative aimed at increasing employment among people with disabilities. " A resume is a springboard for you to give details about your skills, experience and the unique perspectives you bring to the table. You should not explicitly state your disability, but you can weave in your professional experience and hobbies that may be disability-related.

... Then in the interview you can use these achievements to break the ice about your disability if you choose to."

4. Grade point average: 
It's great if you graduated from college with a 4.0, but if you did so 10 years ago, it's probably time to remove your GPA from your resume.

"A person's GPA would normally only be listed on the resume if [he] recently graduated from college," Margolin says. "If the GPA is below a 3.0, it is usually best to leave it off. In certain circumstances, a GPA would remain on longer... some job listings require a certain GPA minimum."

Grammar Gym
"There is a common and not unfounded fear.."
find-found-found
I finally found my keys.
unfounded: not based on facts
- unfounded suspicions
- unfounded accusations

Info Cloud
discrimination n.不公平待遇、歧視，是一種行為，如對身心障礙者的歧視
prejudice n.心中的偏見、歧視，指心中的偏見，是一種態度

Language Lab
disclosure n.公開、揭發(或敗露)的事情 [closure停止, 結束]
- Unauthorized disclosure of company secrets caused him to lose his job.
未經許可公開公司的機密, 使他丟了公司的飯碗
- The news disclosure of sweat shops horrified the public.
新聞披露血汗工廠的消息，震驚了大眾

explicitly adv.明確地、明白地
- The film deals explicitly with the racial discrimination that still exists in schools.
這部電影直接切入校園中目前仍然存在的種族歧視問題
- I never explicitly refused Alec's party invitation, but I thought he knew I wouldn't go.
我從來沒有明確地拒絕過Alec的邀約，但是，我以為他知道我不會去

break the ice 打開僵局、打破沉默
- The speaker's witty demonstration not only broke the ice, it also aroused the audience's interest.
這位演講者措辭巧妙的示範，不僅打破冷場，也激發了聽眾的興趣
ice-breaker n.
- We played a game as an ice-breaker.
我們玩了一個遊戲做為破冰

leave [something] off 排除某事
If your GPA is below 2, it is usually best to leave it off.
如果你的成績是低於2，最好是排除它
Chelsea意外地在嘉賓名單中被排除
- Chelsea's name was accidently left off the guest list.
Chelsea意外地在嘉賓名單中被排除

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Should I Put This on my Resume? (1)

Tips for what is important when you apply for a job

Are you a 5-foot-7 woman who has three dogs and loves skydiving? Unless you're applying for a job as a dog walker or skydiving instructor, these details do not belong on your resume.

Resumes should only include information that is relevant to the position, was requested by the employer or makes it easy for them to contact you. Anything superfluous - hobbies and personal attributes for example - should not be shared.

While every situation is unique, and it's important to take the job and employer requirements into account, there are some general rules for what does and doesn't have a place on your resume.

1. Home address:
Career coach Lavie Margolin recommends including your address. "Not listing your address on your resume will make things more challenging for you," Margolin says. "It will be an immediate question mark for employers as to why there is no address listed." Just make sure that you've done your research on the company to ensure its legitimacy before sharing any contact information.

2. Reference information:
"Never include reference information, especially if you don't know that you want the job," says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing. Always speak to your references first before sharing their details with prospective companies.

Info Cloud
cover letter 封面信, 伴隨著履歷表的信件
如果你是用e-mail寄履歷表,
cover letter就可以直接寫在裡面,
內容可以寫你是從哪裡得知這份工作,
為什麼對這份工作有興趣,
可以感謝對方閱讀你的履歷表

Language Lab
superfluous adj. 多餘的, 必要的  [super 過份]
/sʊˈpɚfluwəs/
beyond what is needed : not necessary
- Victor's self-introduction is superfluous. Everyone here knows him.
Victor的自我介紹是多此一舉, 這裡的每一個人都認識他
- Ian deleted all the superfluous files on his computer.
Ian 把電腦裡不必要的檔案都刪除了  

attribute n.屬性, 特質
a usually good quality or feature that someone or something has
- Samuel has every attribute of a great pitcher.
Samuel 據有優良投手的每一個特質
- Assertiveness is an essential attribute for a good sales representative.
積極近取是一個好的業務代表一個必要的特質

take ... into account

legitimacy n. [noncount] 合法性, 正統性
/lɪˈʤɪtəməsi/
- The election scandal made people start to question the legitimacy of the new president.
選舉的醜聞開始question新任總統的合法性

reference 介紹人, 介紹信 [refer v. 參考]
- Ellen listed me as her reference.
Ellen把我列為他的推薦人
- Hank refused to provide a reference for this former employee.
Hank 拒絕替這位舊員工寫推薦信


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What Questions Do Employers Want to Hear in an Interview? (3)

8. Are there paid, ongoing learning opportunities offered at my level of job responsibility? What obligations do I have if I elect to take advantage of them?

9. What does the company expect in the way of personal and professional growth for a person hired into this position?

10. Does the company value a difference in work and personal time, or does it blur the responsibilities between the two?

Think about your goals first
Don't feel obligated to walk into the interview with a set number of questions, but these give you an idea of the right questions to ask.

Also think of the questions in terms of your carrer and personal goals. If you're moving into a role with more responsibility how will that affect what questions you ask? If you're starting a family soon,
what do you want to know about the company's commitment to work/life balance? Thoughtful planning and preparation for an interview will not only help you feel more confident but will also leave a great impression on the person interviewing you.

Info Cloud
turnover 字面上是翻轉的意思, 用於企業組織就是人事上的變動,
turnover rate 員工的離職率
在面試的時候, 我們可以詢問面試關 What is your turnover rate at your company?
答案如果沒有超過15% 那就是可以接受的 是一間正常的公司
如果過高的話 表示這間公司有問題

Language Lab
ongoing adj. 持續進行的, 不間斷的
* The ongoing news coverage of the scandal attracted a lot of attention.
這項醜聞案持續的報導吸引了很多關注
* The negotiations of both companies are still ongoing after months.
經過了幾個月的時間, 這二家公司的協商仍在進行中

blur v. 使模糊不清, 難以區分
過去式, 過去分詞, 現在分詞 - 都要字尾重覆加上red/ring- blurred/ blurring
* The heavy rain blurred his sight, so he drove very slowly.
大雨讓他看不清楚, 所以開車開的很慢
* I think you're blurring the distinction between "means" and "ends".
我覺得你把手段和目的借線弄的難以區分了

in terms of something [phrase] 就某一方面而言
trem 條款, 條件
* In terms of quality, our products are unbeatable.
就品質而言, 我們的產品是所項無敵的
* In terms of a career, he's quite successful, but in terms of family, he's not.
就事業而言他非常成功, 就家庭而言就不是如此了

thoughtful adj. 深思熟慮的, 經過認真推敲的
1. serious and quiet because you are thinking
2. done or made after careful thinking
3. showing concern for the needs or feelings of other people
thought 思想
* Don went thougth thoughtful consideration before he decided to quit.
Don在辭職之前, 經過了深思熟慮的考量
thoughtful 細心的
* It was very thoughtful of you to call.
你還打電話來真的很貼心

obligate v.使負義務; 強使
[+ obj] : to make (a person or organization) do something because the law requires it or because it is the right thing to do




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What Questions Do Employers Want to Hear in an Interview? (2)

The right questions to ask

Alan Guinn, managing director and CEO of the Guinn Consultancy Group, works with employers every day. He recommends that recruiters listen for these 10 questions from job applicants to see if they've done their homework and truly want the position:

1. What are some of the ways your company encourages teamwork?

2. We all know how important job satisfaction is to everyone. Is the company committed to promotion from within?

3. I love your published mission and values. How are these reflected in day-to-day life at the company? Can you share some examples?

4. If your son, daughter or a friend were looking for a job, would you recommend working for this company? Why?

5. What do you think distinguishes this company from its competitors, both from a public and employee perspective?

6. How often do you speak with your C-level officers? When you do, what do they normally ask you? Do they ask for your opinion?

7. How does the company demonstrate a sense of pride in it's employees?

Info Cloud
e-mail 要專業, 最好用自己的名字

召募者會特別注意求職者問的問題，以明白他是否真心想得到這份工作，因此求職者應

1. 提供的e-mail名稱要夠成熟、專業，少用cute_mouse這種名字，e-mail最好有真實姓名。
2. 注意在社群網站上所公布的資料，雇主可能到你的Facebook瀏覽。
3. 申請能勝任的工作，不要自不量力、眼高手低。

Language Lab
recruiter n.招聘人員,
re 回來
* The recruiter came all the way from St. Louis just to meet Daniel.
這位招聘人員老遠從St. Louis 來就是要見 Daniel
recruit v. 招募, 徵兵
* The college only recruits students in the top 10% of their class.
這所大學只招募前百分之十的學生

applicant n. 申請著, 應徵者
[count] : someone who formally asks for something (such as a job or admission to a college) : someone who applies for something
* All the applicants were required to submit English resumes.
所有的應徵者都被要求要繳交英文的履歷
apply v. 申請
* Chelsea applied for Boston University.
Chelsea 申請了波士頓大學

distinguish v. 使與眾不同, 使突出
1. to notice or recognize a difference between people or things [no obj]
2.  not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : to make (someone or something) different or special in some way
3. not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : to see or hear (someone or something) clearly
dis 分開
* Unpredictability distinguishes this playwright from others.
這位作家的難以預料使他與其他人與眾不同
distinguish 辨別
The boy learned to distinguish the sounds of different frog.
這個小男孩學會如何分辨不同青蛙的聲音

competitor 競爭者, 對手
* All our major competitors bid for the contract.
所有我們主要的競爭對手都參與了這個案子的投標
* Over 1000 competitors took part in the marathon.
超過1000名的參賽者參加了這場馬拉松的比賽

- sense of pride

- consultancy n.
[count] : a company that gives professional advice to other companies for a fee : a consulting company


 

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What Questions Do Employers Want to Hear in an Interview? (1)

What you ask or don’t ask may affect your future - by Justin Thompson
面試官想聽到的問題 你詢問或沒問的問題，可能會影 響到你的未來

Once you've received the call from an employer inviting you in for an interview, the real preparation begins. Prior to an interview, candidates should research the company so they can not only answer questions, but have questions ready to ask the hiring manager as well.

The interview is where the job candidate and employer get to know each other. Think of it like dating. While a job interview is an professional setting and the outcomes are different, the intentions are the same.

You've exchanged information because you think there might be a connection, and now you're ready for your "first date." As much as you want to make a good first impression, the employer needs to make a good impression, too.

Just like a first date, you don't want one person to dominate the conversation and ask all the questions. It should be a balanced dialogue, and you should ask questions that get to the heart of the matter: Who is this employer, and why should I work for this company?


Grammar Gym
Think of it like [something].
* Think of it like dating
* Receiving a shot can be scary; think of it like getting a mosquito bite.
* Cleaning your room can seem boring; think of it like playing a game.

Info Cloud
research the company 對公司做一番研究
* Prior to an interview, candidates should research the company. They have questions ready to ask the hiring manager.
Don't ask such questions:
* What does your company do?
* Who's your competition?
The best way to research the company that get on the internet to browse it's website.

Language Lab
prior adj. 在前的, 在先的
prior...to 在....之前
* Prior to the surgery, the doctor had to get the patient's consent.
手術之前, 醫生必須先得到病人的同意書
* Sean sold his car to a friend prior to his move to London.
Sean搬去倫敦之前, 把車子賣給了一個朋友

outcome n. 結果
* Bob was satisfied with the outcome of the renovation of his house.
Bob 對於自己房子裝修的結果很滿意
* The outcome of the treatment needs to be assessed professionally.
這個治療的結果需要專業的評估

dominate v. 主導, 支配
* The boss dominated the meeting, and no one dared to suggest anything.
老闆主導了整個會議, 沒有人敢建議任何事情
* The basketball team successfully dominated the whole game and won!
這支籃球隊成功的掌握整場比賽最後得到了勝利

the heart of the matter 事情的實質, 問題的核心
* Edward always gets to the heart of the matter in each discussion.
Edward 每次討論事情都能直接討論到事情的核心
* As usual, the heart of the matter is money and power.
一如往常, 問題的核心就是錢與權力



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