Fill in the blanks using will or shall.
1. ……………………… the messenger wait for the reply?
2. …………………….. I carry this bag for you?
3. He …………………………. be talking all the time without doing anything.
4. This machine …………………….. work well without giving you any trouble.
5. ……………………….. you give me your dictionary?
6. ……………………… you be kind enough to lend me your car?
7. On receipt of this letter you ……………………….. leave for Mumbai at once.
8. …………………………… you come with me?
9. Tell him that he ……………………… never repeat that mistake.
10. ………………………….. I put the heating on? Answers
1. Shall the messenger wait for the reply?
2. Shall I carry this bag for you?
3. He will be talking all the time without doing anything.
4. This machine will work well without giving you any trouble.
5. Will you give me your dictionary?
6. Will you be kind enough to lend me your car?
7. On receipt of this letter you shall leave for Mumbai at once.
8. Will you come with me?
9. Tell him that he shall never repeat that mistake.
10. Shall I put the heating on?
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The qualifying infinitive may be used:
1) to qualify a noun like an adjective
Give me something to drink.
Give me a chair to sit.
It was a sight to see.
This is a thing to admire.
2) to qualify a verb like an adverb
I came to see you.
We are going to play the match.
It is going to rain.
3) to qualify an adjective like an adverb
The book is nice to read.
This picture is beautiful to look at.
4) to qualify a sentence
To tell the truth, you are a fool.
To be frank, I don’t like him.
When the infinitive is used to qualify a noun, verb or adjective, it is called a qualifying infinitive or gerundial infinitive.
Adjectives / adverbs and the qualifying infinitives are compared below.
That was a beautiful sight. (Here the adjective beautiful qualifies the noun sight.)
That was a sight to see. (Here the infinitive to see qualifies the noun sight.)
He came quickly. (Here the adverb quickly modifies the verb came.)
He came to see us. (Here the infinitive to see modifies the verb came.)
This kind of tea is very good. (Here the adverb very modifies the adjective good.)
This kind of tea is good to drink. (Here the infinitive to drink modifies the adjective good.)
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A prepositional phrase
is a group of words introduced by a preposition. There are quite a few
prepositional phrases in English and these set phrases are often used
with specific verbs. Prepositional phrases usually go at the end of
sentences. Some of them also go at the beginning of sentences. In this
lesson we will learn the usage of some common prepositional phrases. By heart
To learn something by heart is to memorize it.
The teacher asked us to learn the poem by heart.
At a loss
They sold the car at a loss.
When you are at a loss for words, you are unable to speak.
I was so confused that I was at a loss for words.
From my perspective / from my point of view / from where I stand
All of these phrases mean ‘in my opinion’.
A: What do you think about their decision to withdraw support?
B: From my point of view, it is disastrous.
‘From where I stand, it appears that we are going to lose.’
By the way and by the by
These phrases are used when you want to add information.
Tom: What do you think of this cellphone? Is it any good?
Bill: This is the most popular and, by the way, the cheapest model we have in stock.
This phrase is also used when the speaker wants to open a new subject in a casual manner.
Peter: Oh, by the way, Mark, do you still have that leather jacket you borrowed from me?
Mark: Let me check. I thought I gave it back.
For better or (for) worse / for better, for worse
If something happens for better or worse, it happens whether its
results are good or bad. Note that this phrase is mainly used in a
marriage ceremony.
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Collocations are common word combinations that sound ‘right’ to native English speakers. Examples are: chain smoker and burning desire.
There are numerous collocations in English. Some collocations are
made by putting an adjective and adverb together. Some are made by
putting two nouns together. Collocations can also be made using several
other methods. Here is a list of some common collocations.
Adverb + adjective
Utterly stupid (NOT fully stupid)
It was an utterly stupid thing to do.
Richly decorated
We walked into the richly decorated auditorium.
Fully aware
I am fully aware of the implications of my action.
2. Adjective + noun
Burning desire
He has a burning desire to make it big in the showbiz.
Indulgent mother
She is an indulgent mother.
Maiden voyage
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
Excruciating pain
She was suffering from excruciating pain.
Verb + noun
Commit murder / Commit suicide
She committed suicide by hanging herself.
Make bed
Can you make the bed after washing those plates?
Give a presentation, give a speech
She will give a presentation about her work tomorrow.
Verb + expression with preposition
Run out of
We cancelled the trip because we had run out of money.
Burst into tears
She burst into tears when she heard the news.
Verb + adverb
Remember vividly / Remember vaguely
I vaguely remember that she was working with my neighbor at that time.
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We have already learned that a word is a group of letters arranged in such a way that they make sense. Examples are: flower, book, tree and apple.
A phrase is a group of words that make sense. Examples are: the book, on the table, in the corner and under the tree.
We cannot make a phrase by simply putting two or more words together.
For a group of words to be a phrase, they must make sense. For example,
the following word combinations are not phrases.
On table the
Sky in the
Books two
Exercise 1
Put a tick mark against the group of words that are phrases.
1. On land
2. On the roof
3. book a
4. girl beautiful
5. clever boy
6. a glass of water
7. a pair of shoes
8. a story interesting
9. crow clever the
10. a hardworking animal Solution
1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10 are phrases because they make sense. Exercise 2
The groups of words given below are not phrases because they do not
make sense. Rearrange them in such a way that they make sense.
1. a cake of piece
2. a song lovely
3. picture beautiful a
4. an old man wise
5. monkey clever a
6. a milk of glass
7. a garland flowers of
8. soap a bar of
9. car my uncle’s
10. woman old an Answers
1. A piece of cake
2. A lovely song
3. A beautiful picture
4. A wise old man
5. A clever monkey
6. A glass of milk
7. A garland of flowers
8. A bar of soap
9. My uncle’s car
10. An old woman
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It can be used in ‘cleft sentences’ with who- and that-clauses to emphasize one part of a sentence.
Study the following sentence.
My mother took John to the theater yesterday.
It was my mother who took John to the theater yesterday. (Emphasis on ‘my mother’)
It was John that my mother took to the theater yesterday. (Emphasis on ‘Peter’)
Rewrite the following sentences using it.
1. John threw the book into the fire.
2. Susie met James at the railway station.
3. Susie liked the design on the door very much.
4. My father bought me a toy car yesterday.
5. The manager dismissed the dishonest cashier.
6. John worries about his Dad’s health.
7. John talked to the Manager.
8. The police arrested the suspects. Answers
1. It was John who threw the book into the fire. / It was the book that John threw into the fire.
2. It was Susie who met James at the station. / It was James that Susie met at the station.
3. It was Susie who liked the design on the door very much. / It was the design on the door that Susie liked very much.
4. It was my father who bought me a toy car yesterday. / It was a toy car that my father bought me yesterday.
5. It was the manager who dismissed the dishonest cashier. / It was the dishonest cashier that the manager dismissed.
6. It is John who worries about his Dad’s health. / It is his Dad’s health that worries John.
7. It was John who talked to the manager. / It was the manager that John talked to.
8. It was the police who arrested the suspects. / It was the suspects that the police arrested.
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A subordinating conjunction and its clause can go either before or after the main clause (depending on what is to be emphasized).
If you need money, just let me know.
Just let me know if you need money.
Although the necklace was expensive, she bought it.
She bought the necklace although it was expensive.
Because she was too angry, she tore up the letter.
She tore up the letter because she was too angry.
I went to work after I sent the kids to school.
After I sent the kids to school, I went to work.
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, it is often separated by a comma, even if it is short. Conjunctions in separate sentences
Normally a conjunction connects two clauses into one sentence. However,
sometimes, a conjunction and its clause can stand alone. This usually
happens in answers.
‘Why are you crying?’ ‘Because John hit me.’
‘When are you going to start?’ ‘When I am ready.’
‘Why did you buy it?’ ‘Because I liked it.’
‘Why are you leaving?’ ‘Because I’m fed up.’
Writers often separate clauses for emphasis. However, you must not overdo this.
Something has to be done. Before it gets too late. (Instead of ‘Something has to be done before it gets too late.’)
Afterthoughts can also be introduced by conjunctions.
OK, I did it – But I didn’t mean to.
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It
is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular
noun, verb or adjective. Here are some of the most common combinations. Accuse somebody of something She accused me of breaking the flower-vase. Afraid of I am afraid of the dark. Agree with a person, opinion or policy I couldn’t agree with him. Fatty foods don’t agree with me. He left the firm because he couldn’t agree with their marketing policy. Agree about a subject of discussion We agree about most things. Agree on a matter for decision. We still haven’t agreed on a date. Agree to a suggestion I will agree to your suggestion if you lower the price. Angry with / at a person for doing something She was angry with / at me for using her car without her permission. Angry about something / angry at something What are you so angry about? Anxious about (= worried about) I am getting anxious about your safety. Anxious for (= eager to have) We are anxious for an end to this misunderstanding. Anxious to (= eager, wanting) She is anxious to leave. (= She is eager to leave.) Apologize to somebody for something We must apologize to him. I must apologize for interrupting you. Arrive at / in What time does the plane arrive at New York? When did you arrive in Canada? Divide into
He divided the cake into eight parts. Dream of (= think of, imagine) He always dreams of becoming a famous writer. Dressed in She came dressed in white. Drive into Susie drove into a tree again yesterday. Enter into an agreement, a discussion etc. We have just entered into an agreement with them.
Enter is used without a preposition when it means ‘enter a place’. The conversation stopped as we entered the temple. Explain something to somebody Could you please explain this to me? Fight with / struggle with / quarrel with / argue with Their children are very badly brought up – they are constantly fighting with each other.
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Use at with clock times and other expressions of time such as noon, night and midnight.
The train departs at 6.30.
We usually have dinner at 9 o’clock.
I will meet you at noon.
Phone me at lunch time.
Use in with other parts of the day and with months, years and seasons.
We usually go out in the evening.
I saw him in the morning.
I was born in May.
Trees shed their leaves in autumn.
Days are short and dark in winter.
I take a nap in the afternoon.
They got married in 1996.
This house was built in 1972.
Other prepositions indicating time
In English, we use several prepositions to show time. The most common among them are: since, for, by, during and within. The sequences from-to and from-until are also used to talk about time.
We have lived in this city since 2007. (We arrived in this city in 2007 and have lived here ever since.)
She has been gone since Tuesday. (She went on Tuesday and has not returned yet.)
I am going to Vienna for two weeks. (I will spend two weeks there.)
I work from nine to six.
I will be here from three o’clock onwards.
The program lasted from 3 to 6. (Beginning at 3 and ending at 6)
It rained during the night. (For a certain period of time in the night)
We must finish the work within a year. (= No longer than a year)
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Read the following sentence.
People say that he is a criminal.
Can we change this sentence into the passive? Yes, we can.
He is said to be a criminal. (NOT That he is a criminal is said by people.)
They say these nuts are good for health. (Active)
These nuts are said to be good for health. (Passive)
They believe him to be dangerous. (Active)
He is believed to be dangerous. (Passive) Exercise
Change the following sentences into the passive.
1. They say that he is a strict disciplinarian.
2. People believe that he is in favour of the change.
3. People say that this plant is a remedy for cancer.
4. They say that his company is in trouble.
5. They told us not to come back.
6. They say that these kinds of dogs are very aggressive.
7. They did not allow me to visit my husband. Answers
1. He is said to be a strict disciplinarian.
2. He is believed to be in favour of the change.
3. This plant is said to be a remedy for cancer.
4. His company is said to be in trouble.
5. We were told not to come back.
6. These kinds of dogs are said to be very aggressive.
7. I was not allowed to visit my husband.
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Although
prepositions are small words, they are very important ones. In this
lesson, we will explain some common mistakes in the use of prepositions.
Incorrect: Although he is clever, he lacks of experience.
Correct: Although he is clever, he lacks experience.
Incorrect: The train is now approaching to Boston.
Correct: The train is now approaching Boston.
Incorrect: We were not allowed to enter into the house.
Correct: We were not allowed to enter the house.
Explanations
The verbs lack, approach and enter are directly followed by objects without prepositions. Other verbs that do not normally take prepositions are: discuss, marry and resemble.
Incorrect: See you on next Friday.
Correct: See you next Friday.
Incorrect: I will never forget meeting her on that afternoon.
Correct: I will never forget meeting her that afternoon.
Explanation
Prepositions are not used before a number of common time expressions beginning next, last, this, one etc.
Incorrect: Of what color are her eyes?
Correct: What color are her eyes?
Incorrect: He is of just the right height to be a good soldier.
Correct: He is just the right height to be a good soldier.
Explanation
Expressions containing words like height, weight, length, size, color, age etc., are usually connected to the subject by the verb be without a preposition.
Incorrect: I am going to home.
Correct: I am going home.
Explanation
We do not use to before home.
Incorrect: To where shall I send it?
Correct: Where shall I send it to?
Explanation
The structures where …to?, what…like? and what…for? have a fixed word order. It is not possible to move the preposition to the beginning of the clause.
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Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs
Several words can be different parts of speech. For example and for instance
can be prepositions or transitional adverbs. When they are used as
transitional adverbs, they come at the beginning of the sentence and
modify the entire sentence. Also pay careful attention to the fact that
many transitional adverbs are also subordinating (dependent)
conjunctions.
To a great extent, a person’s habits decide his chances of getting cancer. For example, people who smoke are more likely to develop oral cancer.
In the example sentence given above, the expressions to a great extent and for example are transitional adverbs and can be removed without causing a grammatical error.
Now consider the sentence given below.
People who smoke are likely to develop many diseases, for example cancer.
In the sentence given above, for example is used as a preposition and it connects its object (cancer) to the rest of the sentence. Such as can only be a preposition. It cannot be a transitional adverb or conjunction.
He plays many musical instruments, such as the guitar.
OR
He plays many musical instruments, for example the guitar.
Because of and due to Because of and due to are only used as prepositions. They cannot be used as transitional adverbs or conjunctions. In the same way, because cannot be used as a preposition or transitional adverb.
Because of his long legs, he is a good basketball player. ORDue to his long legs, he is a good basketball player.
He is a good basketball player because he has long legs.
Here because is a dependent conjunction that joins a subordinate clause to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
The same idea can also be expressed using the transitional adverb therefore.
He has long legs. Therefore, he is a good basketball player.
More examples are given below.
She worked hard because she wanted to support her family. (Here the subordinating conjunction because joins the two clauses.)
She worked hard because of her desire to support her family. (Here the preposition because of connects the phrase her desire to support her family to the rest of the sentence.)
She wanted to support her family. Therefore, she worked hard. (Here we express the same idea using a transitional adverb.)
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Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs
Several words can be different parts of speech. For example and for instance
can be prepositions or transitional adverbs. When they are used as
transi
tional adverbs, they come at the beginning of the sentence and
modify the entire sentence. Also pay careful attention to the fact that
many transitional adverbs are also subordinating (dependent)
conjunctions.
To a great extent, a person’s habits decide his chances of getting cancer. For example, people who smoke are more likely to develop oral cancer.
In the example sentence given above, the expressions to a great extent and for example are transitional adverbs and can be removed without causing a grammatical error.
Now consider the sentence given below.
People who smoke are likely to develop many diseases, for example cancer.
In the sentence given above, for example is used as a preposition and it connects its object (cancer) to the rest of the sentence. Such as can only be a preposition. It cannot be a transitional adverb or conjunction.
He plays many musical instruments, such as the guitar.
OR
He plays many musical instruments, for example the guitar.
Because of and due to Because of and due to are only used as prepositions. They cannot be used as transitional adverbs or conjunctions. In the same way, because cannot be used as a preposition or transitional adverb.
Because of his long legs, he is a good basketball player. ORDue to his long legs, he is a good basketball player.
He is a good basketball player because he has long legs.
Here because is a dependent conjunction that joins a subordinate clause to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
The same idea can also be expressed using the transitional adverb therefore.
He has long legs. Therefore, he is a good basketball player.
More examples are given below.
She worked hard because she wanted to support her family. (Here the subordinating conjunction because joins the two clauses.)
She worked hard because of her desire to support her family. (Here the preposition because of connects the phrase her desire to support her family to the rest of the sentence.)
She wanted to support her family. Therefore, she worked hard. (Here we express the same idea using a transitional adverb.)
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Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs
Several words can be different parts of speech. For example and for instance
can be prepositions or transitional adverbs. When they are used as
transitional adverbs, they come at the beginning of the sentence and
modify the entire sentence. Also pay careful attention to the fact that
many transitional adverbs are also subordinating (dependent)
conjunctions.
To a great extent, a person’s habits decide his chances of getting cancer. For example, people who smoke are more likely to develop oral cancer.
In the example sentence given above, the expressions to a great extent and for example are transitional adverbs and can be removed without causing a grammatical error.
Now consider the sentence given below.
People who smoke are likely to develop many diseases, for example cancer.
In the sentence given above, for example is used as a preposition and it connects its object (cancer) to the rest of the sentence. Such as can only be a preposition. It cannot be a transitional adverb or conjunction.
He plays many musical instruments, such as the guitar.
OR
He plays many musical instruments, for example the guitar.
Because of and due to Because of and due to are only used as prepositions. They cannot be used as transitional adverbs or conjunctions. In the same way, because cannot be used as a preposition or transitional adverb.
Because of his long legs, he is a good basketball player. ORDue to his long legs, he is a good basketball player.
He is a good basketball player because he has long legs.
Here because is a dependent conjunction that joins a subordinate clause to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
The same idea can also be expressed using the transitional adverb therefore.
He has long legs. Therefore, he is a good basketball player.
More examples are given below.
She worked hard because she wanted to support her family. (Here the subordinating conjunction because joins the two clauses.)
She worked hard because of her desire to support her family. (Here the preposition because of connects the phrase her desire to support her family to the rest of the sentence.)
She wanted to support her family. Therefore, she worked hard. (Here we express the same idea using a transitional adverb.)
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Here is an overview of the different figures of speech. Simile
In simile we make a comparison between two distinctly different
objects which have at least one common trait. The simile is usually
introduced by words such as like, so or as.
My Love is like a red, red rose.
A comparison made between two objects of the same kind is not a simile.
A large number of similes are used in everyday speech. Common examples are given below:
As proud of a peacock
As old as the hills
As cold as ice
As good as gold
Metaphor
A metaphor is different from a simile. Here we suggest a likeness
between two objects of distinctly different nature. Note that a metaphor
does not state that one thing is like another. It boldly claims that
the two objects are one and the same.
Examples are:
Life is a dream. (Here the speaker establishes a likeness between life and dream by saying that they are one and the same.)
Note that we can convert a metaphor into a simile by using the words like or as. In the same way, a simile can be converted into a metaphor.
She is like a red rose. (Simile)
She is a red rose. (Metaphor)
Personification
In personification, inanimate objects and abstract ideas are spoken of as if they were endowed with life and intelligence.
Example
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe is a direct address either to an absent person or to a nonhuman entity.
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More is a modifier. It is used in a variety of situations.
In comparatives
Adjectives of more one syllable form their comparative forms with more. Examples are: more beautiful, more intelligent and more careful. Note that longer adjectives ending in –y tend to have comparative forms ending in –er. Example: happy -> happier; merry -> merrier More is used to express the idea that there is more of a particular quality.
Tokyo is more populous than Beijing.
She is more beautiful than her sister.
Less is the opposite of more. It is used to indicate that there is less of a particular quality.
Cricket is more popular than tennis in India.
Tennis is less popular than cricket in India.
More as a determiner
As a determiner more serves the same purpose as an adjective: it is used before a noun.
We need more time to finish the job.
My wife earns more money than I do.
Could I have some more potatoes?
Note that before a pronoun or a noun with a determiner (e.g. articles, possessives and demonstratives) we use more of.
She is more of a genius than I thought.
Five more of the missing pilgrims have been found.
He is more of a nuisance that you might think.
After more, we use a plural noun.
More people now access information on the internet.
It is important to include more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
More can also be followed by singular uncountable nouns.
Could I have some more rice?
More without a noun
More can be used alone without a following noun if
the meaning is clear. For example, you are having dinner. The hostess
might ask if you need more referring to rice, soup, fish, water etc. If
the meaning is clear from the context, the noun can be dropped in this
case.
Would you like some more, please?
Note the structure number + more + noun + infinitive.
I have three more semesters to go.
She requires six more credits to graduate.
We will need two more weeks to finish the job.
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Global labor trends show that millions and millions of people every
year are unemployed, and should they seek jobs, they would face rigorous
screening processes. This is due to changes in the operations,
structures, and spending of many companies caused by unpredictable
economic circumstances and technological developments replacing a huge
part of the human force. Adding to the worry of any job applicant is the
tight competition with other job seekers.
One crucial way to beat those odds is to stand out. To be noticed in a
crowd of names and faces is to make your first impression
unforgettable, and this first impression is in the form of a piece of
paper which celebrates the history of your milestones and feats: your resume.
The Six-second Look: Why Does A Resume Need to be Catchy and Effective?
A study by
TheLadders, a job-matching service and employment site in New York,
reveals how recruiters actually look into piles of curriculum vitae (CV)
and resume. These are the company’s findings:
“…recruiters spend about 6 seconds before they make the initial “fit/no fit” decision. That means prioritizing information is essential.”
“…recruiters tend to follow a consistent visual path when reviewing
both resumes and online profiles, so an organized layout is crucial.”
“…professionally written resumes have a clear visual hierarchy and
present relevant information where recruiters expect it, these documents
quickly guide recruiters to a yes/no decision.”
Hence, a well-polished resume with enough information that matches the specific job requirements is likely to get noticed.
Today, this guide will take you to the nitty-gritty of writing an
effective resume. This is not a magic wand that will transport you to
the office of your dream job, but this will detail the essentials that
will help refine your first impression to your potential employer and
possibly your confidence to share what you have been achieving all
along:
The difference between a resume and a CV
The CV
The Resume
Types of Resume
Different Parts of a Resume
Tips on Writing a Resume
The Difference Between A Resume and A CV
A resume is a formal document that showcases the basic yet crucial
information about a person’s education and professional experience.
These details are expected to be relevant to the requirements of a
particular position one is applying for. According to The Bates College
in Maine, a resume is typically for job seekers in the field of
business, industry, governmental, and non-profit jobs. Its purpose is to
help you land an interview.
On the other hand, the San Francisco State University
stresses that a CV is longer and more detailed. In fact, a Ph.D.
student may come up with a two-to-three page CV while those with
extensive professional experience might produce seven to eight pages.
Moreover, a CV is often for graduate school and academic positions, such
as faculty positions, internships and even grant, scholarship, and
fellowship applications. Also, there are professionals sending CVs to
companies abroad since they have no idea what Human Resources are
looking for in such documents yet.
In essence, a CV can be compared to a huge
database of a person’s achievements. The University of North
Carolina-Chapel Hill shares that a standard CV has the following
elements:
Name / Contact Information: your contact
information or contact information of your current office or place of
employment (unless your job application is not confidential)
Areas of Interest: different fields, expertise, or academic interests
Education: a detailed list of degrees earned or in
progress, institutions, and years of graduation. The titles of
dissertation or thesis can be placed under this category.
Grants, Honors and Awards: grants received, honors for previous work, or awards given for teaching service.
Publications and Presentations: published
manuscripts, articles, abstracts, technical papers, and books and
presentations given at conventions and conferences. This category can be
split into two depending on the length of the information.
Employment and Experience: lists of teaching experiences, laboratory/ field/volunteer work, leadership roles, or other relevant experiences.
Scholarly or Professional Memberships: professional organizations of which you are a member or officer
References: persons
who can recommend you and properly describe your work attitude and
competence, with their position, institution and contact information.
Others are Professional Certification (certification, licensure, endorsements, and special training), Academic Service (advising, university involvement, outreach, and university assignments) and Professional Activities (conference participation, conference presentation, invited lectures, and conference leadership).
You may check these links for sample CVs:
Image source
Meanwhile, the resume is for those who have just begun or approaching the middle of the journey of their career.
According to the Cal Alumni Association of the University of
Califoria-Berkeley, a resume is a summary that is meant for a specific
job. It is a nest of the highlights of one’s career and education that
mirror what a specific role is looking for. Hence, it has to be crisp
yet substantial enough for your potential employer or recruiter. You
have to advertise, in a professional way, your achievement, skills, and
experience to an institution that is looking for the kind of talent you
have and help you grow what you currently have.
Because of varying jobs, role expectations, requirements, culture, and nature of work, not all resumes are the same.
Types of Resume
There are three types of resume according to Wilma Fellman, author of Finding A Career that Works for You, as seen on myadhd.com: 1) Chronological Resume. This type of resume displays work
experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent to least recent)
and itemizes the duties of each job “rather than the specific
abilities, skills, and accomplishments you possess to perform the job
well.
Advantages
Highlights a record of steady employment
Expected by many employers
Easiest to prepare
Highlights companies you have worked for that have a good reputation
Disadvantages
Often does not focus on skills
Emphasizes job hopping
Emphasizes large gaps in your work history”
Check a sample chronological resume here. 2) Functional Resume. This details one’s skills and
achievements as opposed to dates, positions, and duties that can be seen
in a chronological type of resume. If the previous category focuses on
the past milestones, a functional resume highlights what one can do for
the potential employer. This is actually ideal for those who do not have
enough work experience yet or have large gaps in their employment
background. But this requires extensive examination of one’s skills that
can benefit the prospective company.
Advantages
Emphasizes skills and accomplishments
De-emphasizes spotty job history or frequent job changes
Focuses on what you can do (future) rather than on only what you have done (past)
Disadvantages
Is not familiar to employers, who may feel something is missing
Provides no opportunity to highlight certain employers
Offers no clear work history”
Check a sample functional resume here. 3) Combination Resume.
Fellman believes that this type of resume is a bit difficult to write,
especially that it combines both the characteristics of the
chronological resume and functional resume. Essentially, this type of
document covers a brief employment history presented chronologically, and identifies skills and competencies, such as job titles and dates.
Advantages
Provides what employers are used to seeing—a work history as well as skills and accomplishments.
Provides employers with dates in your work history so they can
determine how long you have stayed at different jobs, and if there have
been any significant gaps in employment.
Disadvantages
A little more difficult to prepare.
Check a sample combination resume here. Here are other links containing comprehensive examples of resume:
Image source1) The Heading. This comprises the personal information that are pertinent to your job application. This includes:
Full name (it should stand out from the rest of the paper)
Permanent/temporary address
A professional email address
Website URL (if it contains professional information or showcases your portfolio
2) Objective Statement / Summary. This briefly announces the
kind of work you want to pursue, the type of company you want to work
for, and why you can perform it well (relevant skills, knowledge, or
experience). Often, the more specific your objective is, the more
realistic and convincing it would sound.
Objective
To obtain an International Trade Coordinator position with the World Trade Center, San Diego using
organizational ability, knowledge of foreign cultures, languages and research skills
3) Education. This is a crucial part especially for new
graduates and those who are just starting their career. According to the
Geneva College in Pennsylvania, this section should contain:
Your current college
Date of expected completion
Other institutions you’ve attended
The degree (Associate, Bachelor, Master)
Your major
Minors or concentrations, if you have them
GPA if higher than 3.0
Other categories that may be relevant are: major courses you’ve
taken; research presentations; large projects or papers; simulations. 4) Skills and Qualifications. These should be marketable and
fitting to the job requirements one is applying for. One should list
relevant skills, such as those in computer operations, language
proficiency, interpersonal communication, work attitude, and others that
appear beneficial to the desired company or role.
Example (Global’s resume):
Skills & Qualifications
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Fluent in spoken and written Spanish
Extensive international travel, including, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico
Broad background and knowledge of world affairs and cultures
Ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances
Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet and email
5) Experience. This segment serves as a proof of one’s
capability to handle a similar job or to expand skills according to the
needs or requirement of the position. This also showcases one’s
adeptness and practical knowledge of the field. Among the details to
write here are part- and full-time work, paid and unpaid internships,
volunteer positions, and leadership positions. According to the Purdue
University, each item should be presented with the following:
Name and address of company or organization
Employment dates
Position title
Responsibilities (remember to list the number of employees you supervised if you have management experience)
Awards and promotions (employers are very interested in your
achievements and success. Awards and promotions show an employer that
you have been recognized for your hard work)
Check Global’s Experience section:
President, UCSD International Affairs Group, San Diego, CA (9/20xx – present)
Organize monthly speaker series increasing student awareness of international affairs topics
Coordinate community service and social activities leading to strong membership retention
Recruit employers to speak at events resulting in networking opportunities for students
Communicate with more than 20 members via weekly e-mails and timely website updates
Discussion Leader, Language Conversation Tables, Mexico City, Mexico (7/20xx – 6/20xx)
Facilitated table discussions with diverse international student group on a weekly basis
Interacted with residents, heightening understanding and appreciation of other cultures
Participated in local community visits to discuss U.S.-Mexico cultural connections
Server, Chili’s Restaurant, National City, CA (4/20xx – 11/20xx)
Communicated with a variety of customers on menu orders, sometimes speaking in Spanish
Served more than 75 customers per shift using multi-tasking and teamwork skills with staff
6) Honors / Awards / Activities. This part would add
credibility to the applicant as it displays one’s awards, recognition,
honor (dean’s list, leadership awards, certifications, or positions in
an organization). See this other example from USCD:
HONORS/ACTIVITIES Image source
• TESC Representative, Society of Women Engineers at UCSD, July 20xx-Present
• Active Member, Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honor Society, Sept 20xx – Present
• Provost’s Honors, Fall xx, Spring xx, Spring xx
• Excellence Award in Writing – JEO National Journalism Convention, June 20xx
7) References. This category shows a list of people that
recruiters or employers can contact to gain more insights about you as
an applicant. The Geneva College specifies what employers should see in
this section:
Title the page References and center it between the left and right
margins. Then provide entries for each person, including their:
Name (include Dr. if it applies, or Mr./Ms. if their gender is not obvious)
Job title
Place of employment
Address
Email address
Phone number
Tips on Writing A Resume
On physical paper
A plain white paper, according to the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown (UPJ), remains
to be “the most businesslike.” However, colored paper can be acceptable
depending on the nature of work. Award-winning resume expert Laura
Smith-Proulx shares in her article that there are resume color rules, such as using a particular color to highlight a part of a resume. In a Forbes article,
experts recommend clear and neat resumes but applicants who are eyeing a
position in creative fields such as digital strategy can use their
resume to “shine” but they need to keep the information substantial.
On formatting
UPJ explains that among the layout elements that applicants must
consider when writing a resume are: dividing lines, white space, good
spacing, headings, and margins. “By being “eye catching”, your resume
may separate itself from others.” UPJ also stresses that there is no
perfect way to organize a resume, but all resumes have things in common:
no spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. You can practice the formatting using the resume worksheets of the Maine Community College System here.
On word choice
An article
from The New York Times shares studies proving that words affect the
brain, particularly the sensory cortex. Hence, it is important to note
that the use of brief yet powerful words make the job descriptions,
skills and experience more unforgettable and affecting. Here are helpful
links containing words you can use for your resume:
Image source
Here are guiding principles on writing a resume that you can keep in
mind as you gather details, develop its structure, and style it
according to your desired job, company, or field:
Conduct some research about your industry, company, or prospective
employers. Know their mission-vision, culture, achievements, objectives,
operations, structure, and external relations. This set of data will
give you a clue about the credentials you will prioritize in your
resume.
Be more specific with your achievements. Instead of saying “managed
inventory books,” write “computed and recorded inventory valuation on a
monthly basis.” This way, your future boss, who may be too busy to
clarify details like this, can assess your qualifications easily.
Keep on updating your resume. It is a record of your milestones,
your favorite history. This may also mean going beyond the paper: being
updated with the trends of your industry, connecting with people and
organizations in your field, and attending conventions and seminars.
This way, you can be sure that what you put in paper is keeping up with
the changes.
Be honest. The resume can only help you get a foot in the door of
your dream job, because the words, numbers, and details you put there
should speak louder in person as you face the interview, perform the
job, and work with your boss and the people around you.
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Effective Business Writing: Top Principles and Techniques
“My success was not just because of hard work.”
Porter Gale, author of Your Network is Your Net Worth, in a Forbes interview,
revealed that much of her success can be attributed to relationships
she made throughout the years. She stressed that one’s “net worth” is
not anchored on the size of one’s portfolio or network but on the
quality of affairs and on one’s “ability to define and stay true to your
passions and values and that working with other people who share them
will allow you to build a strong and enduring interpersonal safety net
that will carry you through any financial calamity to greater output and
personal fulfillment.” Image source
Indeed, communication is the soul of any business.
It serves as both the content and channel for one’s decisions, ideas,
tasks, solutions, plans, and need to belong and solidify your sense of
culture and self. In fact, a Towers Watson study attests
that companies that communicate with courage, innovation, and
discipline are more effective at engaging employees and producing ideal
business outcomes.
One type of communication that is used almost everyday in the corporate world is business writing:
from emails, memos, new policies and instructions to huge client
presentations, research and development, and marketing campaigns. Even
profit-making and nonprofit organizations in the field of aeronautics,
according to a survey by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), are into communication the whole time. It says
respondents use:
more than one third of their work time conveying information to others
another one third working with technical information sent to them by others
Fundamentally, poor business writing is costly and leads to disastrous events. A Los Angeles Business journal article explained
that billions of dollars are lost due to insufficient writing skills
among business people. It happens, for example, when a customer does not
understand the email, marketing tool, or proposal by a company because
of wrong grammar or awkward style and tone. The article adds that
customers encountering poorly written materials might form an
undesirable impression of how a company runs its business.
This post is a part of a series of guides on business writing. Today, we will tackle:
Definition of Business Writing
Advantages and Disadvantages of Written Communication
Elements to Consider Before Writing A Business Document
Grammar and Language in Business Writing
Different Types of Business Communication
What is Business Writing? Image source
Business Writing is a type of written communication,
usually with standard structure and style. According to the Capella
University, it addresses the needs of specific audiences and has prose
and lists for a particular topic that concerns business. Advantages and Disadvantages of Written Communication
The Inc Magazine website details what makes written communication work…and worse:
Pros
written messages do not have to be delivered on the spur of the
moment; they can be edited and revised several times before they are
sent so that the content can be shaped to maximum effect
written communication provides a permanent record of the messages and can be saved for later study
written forms of communication also enable recipients to take more
time in reviewing the message and providing appropriate feedback
written forms of communication are often considered more appropriate
for complex business messages that include important facts and figures
good writing skills often lead to increased customer/client
satisfaction; improved inter-organizational efficiency; and enhanced
image in the community and industry
Cons
the sender of written communication does not generally receive
immediate feedback to his or her message; this can be a source of
frustration and uncertainty in business situations in which a swift
response is desired
written messages often take more time to compose, both because of
their information-packed nature and the difficulty that many individuals
have in composing such correspondence
To prevent such disadvantages, there are principles and techniques that people can apply. Elements to Consider Before Writing A Business Document 1) The Purpose. This will serve as the direction, the
reference, and the path of your details. This will set the tone, the
style, and structure of your letter. This is your message and your goal.
Defining your purpose will set things right at the very beginning. For
example, if your purpose is to excite and invite the employees to join
the annual talent contest of the company as a team-building effort, you
cannot bore them with long paragraphs explaining how the activity will
help boost their productivity, write too formal sentences, or use heavy
office or work jargon. The purpose tells you to keep your lines light
yet still professional, use bullets, and add an exclamation point or two
at the end of the memo.
To determine how the document will appear, it is only critical to ask yourself first if your purpose is: Image source
to inform
to persuade
to argue
to invite
to confirm information
to make an inquiry
to ask for approval
to reject or approve
to propose or suggest
2) The Audience. Another significant step in order to make
an impact on your audience is to know them. For example, if you simply
send a letter to employees about attending a conference on a Sunday and
reiterating that it is a requirement, a portion of your workforce might
resume to work with worries in their heads because they have religious
obligations to meet on Sundays. If you can tailor your letter without
touching any religion, culture or sensitive issue in an uncomfortable
way, work would be much smoother and solidarity among the people will
remain intact.
Here are methods you can take to know your audience better:
If you are sending an external communication to a company, determine
its vision, its mission, its accomplishments and goals. If your letter
reflects these things, the company would realize that you care both for
its objectives and its situation. Gather these data using the company’s
website, social media networks, and other corporate paraphernalia.
If you are sending a proposal to an individual, know his/her
preferences, pain, problem or wants. If you can answer one or two of
them in your letter (sales, marketing, proposal, etc), it will make your
document more interesting and more memorable.
You can also take a look at the company’s communication style
through its public documents and press releases. This way, you know how
you should convey your message to them.
A Business Insider article suggests the following guide questions as you develop your writing:
Why does the reader care?
How does the reader benefit?
What should the reader do?
When should the reader do it?
What happens if the reader does take action?
What happens if the reader doesn’t take action?
Who else will benefit? Why?
Where does the reader go for more information?
Grammar and Language in Business Writing Image source
iFixit CEO Kylie Wins, in his controversial post
at the Harvard Business Review blog, claims that “grammar signifies
more than just a person’s ability to remember high school English. I’ve
found that people who make fewer mistakes on a grammar test also make
fewer mistakes when they are doing something completely unrelated to
writing — like stocking shelves or labeling parts.” He furthers that in
his company where programming, like writing, is crucial, “the devil’s in
the details. In fact, when it comes to my whole business, details are
everything. I hire people who care about those details.” For clients or
partners, language may echo a company’s competence, culture, openness to
development, and way of treating business. Hence, there is a need to
prevent grammatical errors and inappropriate writing in business communication. On words, phrases, and sentences The book “Effective Business
Communication,” by Ronnie Bouing, suggests that complex and general
nouns and wordy lines should be avoided. There should be less
jargon–unless it is a technical document–and more specific words and
brief yet strong phrases. Let’s take a look at his examples:
instead of “wealthy business person,” use “tycoon.”
not “business prosperity,” but “boom”
not “consensus of opinion,” but “consensus”
not “kind consideration,” but “kindness” or “consideration”
not “as a result of,” but “because”
not “at the present time,” but “now”
The Miami University presents the following pointers:
– Turn nouns into verbs: Instead of “We would like to make a recommendation that…” say “We recommend that…”
– Refrain from overusing “it is” and “there are”: Not “It is imperative that we examine this…” but “We examine…”
– Avoid the use of fancy terms and stick to simple ones: Not “utilize” but “use”
– Be cautious with pronoun reference. For example, to which is “this”
referring to in this sentence “This is the reason behind the company’s
restructuring.” If this is placed at the end of the paragraph, anything
in your previous sentences can serve as a reason. Be as definite and as
clear as possible. Here are other tips for better business writing:
Use the active voice instead of the passive voice to sound more
assertive and powerful. For example, not “The report was submitted by
the team lead to the CEO,” but “The team lead submitted the reports to
the CEO.”
For the tone, the Purdue University emphasizes
the need to be confident, sincere and courteous. Its example suggests
that instead of saying “You must agree that I am qualified for the
position,” write “My qualifications in the areas of accounting and
customer service meet your job requirements.”
The
Purdue University also explains how to apply parallelism in
professional writing. For example, if a series of items starts with a
verb, the rest of the lines should start with a verb as well: “duties:
analyze data; call clients; write reports”Image source
The Pepperdine University – Graziado School of Business
and Management lists the action words one can use in professional
writing:
Achieve Coordinate Exceed Judge Prepare Review
Acquire Correct Execute Justify Prescribe Revise
Adapt Counsel Exhibit Launch Present Revitalize
Address Craft Expand Lead Preside Satisfy
Advance Create Expedite Lecture Process Schedule
Advise Critique Experiment License Procure Secure
Advocate Decrease Export Listen Program Select
Analyze Define Facilitate Locate Progress Separate
Apply Delegate Finalize Maintain Project Serve
Appoint Deliver Finance Manage Project Manager
Arbitrate Demonstrate Forge Manipulate Promote Simplify
Architect Deploy Form Manufacture Propose Sold
Arrange Design Formalize Map Prospect Solidify
Ascertain Detail Formulate Market Provide Solve
Assemble Detect Found Mastermind Publicize Specify
Brief Discover Halt Modify Rate Structure
Budget Dispense Head Monitor Realign Succeed
Build Display Hire Motivate Rebuild Suggest
Calculate Distribute Honor Navigate Recapture Summarize
Capture Diversify Hypothesize Negotiate Receive Supervise
Catalog Divert Identify Nominate Recognize Supply
Champion Document Illustrate Normalize Recommend Support On overall grammar editing
The Harvard Business Publishing details ways to edit grammar and mechanics:
1) Revise lengthy titles: Instead of “Bob Smith, Vice President for
Corporate Communications and Government Relations,” write “spokesperson
Bob Smith”
2) Be keen with obvious points: Instead of “Obviously, this means we will need to raise prices, which
could reduce sales,” prefer “Our need to raise prices could reduce sales.”
3) Instead of using “of” phrases, convert them into possessives. “For
example, change the success of the company to the company’s success.”
Image sourceOn formatting The Harvard Business Publishing describes the graphical elements one should consider when developing a business document:
Headings and bullets – Headings are used to underscore the main
points, form white space, and make it easy for readers to scan the
document. Bullets, on the other hand, are often for series of items.
They are useful because a huge volume of data can be converted into
“small, digestible bites,” making the reading experience smooth and the
paper easier to navigate.
Tables – These are used when subjects or options are being compared
or contrasted to one another. These tools will avoid the repetition of
the company names and categories throughout the text. There would be
less words because the data no longer needs extensive explanation.
Maps, flowcharts, and diagrams – These are for more complex data or
connections of data that text alone can no longer detail substantially.
These also aid in presentations, saving more time and other resources.
Bold face and italics – To emphasize specific points to readers , you can put the words in boldface or in italics. On using sources
The Miami University gives pointers for acknowledging sources in business documents, especially those that present proposals:
a) Readers should be able to identify sources. State full URLs, names
of websites, and authors’ names using a consistent citation method.
b) Avoid using direct quotes and instead paraphrase them or state
them in your own words. This will also give the impression that you have
a solid grasp of the evidence for your proposals.
c) Provide explanation for outside materials so readers will not come up with an interpretation that is different from yours.
d) Use only persuasive and credible sources. This will make your document more reliable and convincing. On content development and organization of ideas
Ideas in your business should flow in a logical manner to keep the
whole discussion smooth and all thoughts cohesive. The Purdue University
has guide questions for reviewing professional papers
Does your document begin by explaining your point and forecasting
the communication’s main ideas?Your introduction should answer these
three questions from the perspective of the reader:
What is this?
Why am I getting it?
What do you want me to do?
Does your communication proceed in a logical and organized way, moving from general to specific information?
Is information arranged in order of importance to your audience?
Is similar information kept together?
Is each section organized around only one main idea?
Do key sentences begin each paragraph?
For content development, you can ask the following as you re-check your content:
Do you provide enough background information for the message?
Have you included specific examples, numbers, dates, names and percentages to support your claims?
Do you have graphics (charts, graphs, diagrams, and tables) where appropriate?
Have you eliminated unnecessary and/or obvious information to your audience?
Types of Business Communication Image source
Barbie Carpenter of Demand Media, a digital marketing agency, in an article, shares the four types of business communication: 1) Results-Oriented Communication. This type of
correspondence encourages people, especially those in the office, to
take actions or follow specific instructions. An example of this is a
memo with the weekly goals of a team. It is expected to be motivational
to produce solid results. 2) Informational Communication. Some documents are eyeing a
goal, but some are simply to inform the audience. For example, an email
can be about a change in a policy, a help manual for a particular
program or facility, or changes in the organizational structure. These
papers are expected to be clear to avoid misinterpretation. 3) Negative Communication. There are inevitable events in
the workplace that may not be pleasing to everyone. Writing about them
requires careful planning. “For example, a human resources specialist
might have to write a letter about a layoff or severance package. In
this type of communication, the writer should use a firm but empathetic
tone and write succinctly to provide essential information in a direct
manner.” 4) Persuasive Communication. This refers to proposals or
applications for a government grant, funding, or partnership. Lines
should be convincing and positive to make an impression and hook the
recipient to consider or act on the plan.
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