CV (Updated) & Job Interview Questions

Sorry about the delay on this post. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Name - Most important, with your contact and personal information being secondary. Should be the first thing on your CV.
Photo - Is optional, and in the US, it is mandatory that you DO NOT include a photo. Make sure it is an appropriate photo, and of a standard size.
Phone - If applying outside the country, include country code, in France +33, and do not include the zero at the front of your French cell phone number.
Address - Can be formatted differently in each country. In English, we normally capitalize the first letter of the name of the town or city.(49100 Angers, France)
e-mail (should look like this, all lowercase, optional to have this before your mail since '@' makes it apparent its your e-mail address): can be presented in blue, but is not necessary. If you do not already have a professional e-mail address, now is the time to get one.

An objective is an optional thing. Normally, an objective consists of one short sentence stating the type of job or work you are looking for. This type of information can be included in you letter of motivation, also known as a cover letter. Note: when stating numbers within sentences, if it is under ten, write the word out (ten, nine, eight, etc.) , instead of using the numeral (10,9,8..).

Degrees or Diplomas -
Year started – Present.
ex: 2009 – Present First, the University or School you are currently "enrolled in/ attending" : you have not finished.
Next, the degrees you have completed / finished :
2009 Bachelor's of Tourism, University of Angers,
2006 Lycée Baccalauréat (High School Diploma), specialty (if any), with honors (high standing)
Any training with education courses and certification you may have completed.

Format / Style : Consistency
Try to keep each type of information looking the same, ie. dates, years or months, Job Titles, Companies. Each item should look the same so that your prospective employer can easily find it.
Fonts - Use only one, can be as small as 9pt, and even 7/8 pt in most cases, and still easily read. This will help you keep everything to one page. Use a professional font. Do not use fonts like Comic Sans and Papyrus.
Different types of treatments: Title Case, Sentence case. CAPS, CAPS LOCK. (Capital letters)

Full Time, Part Time, Internships & Short Term
Full Time (abbv. FT) in the US, Full Time work means 40 hours a week, each day a one hour lunch break, and two weeks paid vacation. Each job offers various types of health insurance coverage, normally, that you pay a portion of out of your salary.
Part Time (abbv. PT) in the US, Part Time means anything under 35 hours a week. This sometimes and sometimes doesn't included health care or paid time off.
Internships - are lumped into three categories, paid, unpaid, and work stipend. Paid would be an internship in which you receive hourly wage or a salary, as a normal employee. Unpaid - you earn no money. And a work stipend is a weekly or monthly sum that goes towards transportation or other expenses you may have.

Helpful Terms
CEO - Chief Executive Officer
VP - Vice President
HR - Human Resources
PR - Public Relations
EU - European Union
401 K - American Retirement Account, K = thousands, 1000s


Not Necessary to Include with main Employment -
Short Term - seasonal work, temporary employment
You don't have to explain how much you worked. (For example, how many days a week, or how many hours a week) If you were employed for 2 years, you should say that. You can explain how much work you did at the interview.
This is the same for being paid. Sometimes a job will ask for your salary requirements, and you can include this is your letter of motivation/cover letter. It should be based on previous salaries or an entry salary.

Programs / Computer Skills
A basic way of noting general computer use without being specific would be to say. This only states you know how to turn a computer on and use it. This skill alone will not help you get a job in today's market.
Proficient in PC Environment & File Management.

Levels of Computer or Software use: Expert, Proficient, Intermediate, Beginner.
Daily use is also acceptable.

ex: Expert in Microsoft Office in a PC & Mac environment. Microsoft Office includes all the software in that package, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.
Proficient in HTML, CSS, and Content Management Systems. If you know any modern internet computer programming or languages, even if you just have a blog or a twitter, you may want to include that. Having strong connectivity on the internet can only help you get jobs these days. Creating a LinkedIn page and including the address on your resume could also be helpful.
Beginner in Adobe Flash and iMovie. It's also important to show you have interest in other software. This shows you encourage yourself to learn new things as well. You never know if this interest could be helpful in a job that you would like to have.

DO NOT list surfing the internet as a skill. Anyone can do it. Same goes for e-mail.

Languages
The levels are native (refrain from using your mother tongue), bilingual/fluent (you can speak the language fluently and without hesitation), conversational, and then levels of good, moderate/intermediate, basic/beginner/novice. Written and Spoken can have two different levels, specify if so.

Recommendations / References
Due to privacy concerns, most references would prefer that you keep their information confidential. In order to do this, I place on my CV "Available Upon Request". This means that if an employer really needs my references, they can ask me, and I would be more than happy to notify my reference that someone would be calling them or e-mailing them, and then passing the contact information on to my prospective employer.

If your job listing asks for references, I would list it as follows

Name, Title, Company, Location (optional), Phone, e-mail

Top 10 Job Interview Questions
Most people in charge of hiring tend to ask the same questions. The best way to prepare yourself for an interview, besides dressing well, is to make sure that you practice responding to the questions they are likely to ask. Then, you won't hesitate during the interview and you will seem more confident.

The link to this list of interview questions can be found here, and there are many more lists of questions like this on the internet.

Eiffel Scholarship

This was sent to me by the University. If there are any foreign Masters students that are interested in applying, I would be more than happy to write a recommendation. Sorry, this scholarship is not available to French nationalities.

The Eiffel Programme offers funding for:
- a Master’s postgraduate degree course
- a 10-month jointly tutored and jointly supervised component as part of PhD course,
preferably during the 2nd or 3rd year.
The Eiffel excellence programme is run by the French Ministry of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs. Focusing on three key subject areas of sciences, economics and management, law and political science, its primary aim is to offer scholarships in French higher education establishments to future public and private sector decision-makers in foreign countries.
As regards the Master’s degree course, students pursuing careers in teaching and research are not eligible as they can benefit from other grant programmes.
It also seeks to encourage applicants from developing countries, particularly in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the new EU Member States, although this does include industrialised countries for the PhD component.
The Eiffel Programme is designed to help French higher education establishments attract high-calibre overseas students. Only French higher education establishments can submit applications and, if successful, they must enrol the candidates in the requested courses to obtain the Eiffel grant.

More information can be found on their website.

Changing Levels

I have an opening for one student from my M1 Niv 4 Group to move to a Niv 3 course with Prof. O'Riordan, if someone is interested. She is the Irish Professor.

I am also willing to move students from my M1 Niv 5 Group to my Niv 4. If anyone is interested in switching down, please contact me. Thank you.

Past Simple VS Past Continuous

You know Past Simple, here's a look further into Past Continuous, which is harder to grasp.

The Basics - Simple Past
There are two principal past tenses used to make general statements about the past: The past simple and the past continuous. The two tenses are quite different. Use the past simple to talk about an event which happened at some point in time in the past.

------ point in time, one moment something occurred ---- use PAST SIMPLE

Tom flew to Chicago last week. (point in time – last week; thing that occurred - Tom flys)
Peter visited his friends in Florida two months ago. (point in time – two months ago; occurred – Peter visits)

The Basics - Past Continuous
The past continuous is usually used to refer to events happening at the same time that something important happened in the past.

They were doing their homework when she arrived.
Jack was studying while Dave was cooking dinner.

The past continuous is also used to express what was happening at a precise moment in the past.
I was attending a lecture at 2.30 yesterday afternoon.
Alice was reading a book at six yesterday evening.
Past Simple Structure:
Positive
Subject + ( Verb + ed –OR– Irregular Past Form ) + Objects

I, You, He, She, We, They -> played golf yesterday afternoon.
I, You, He, She, We, They -> went lunch at noon.
Negative
Subject + did not (didn't) + Verb + Objects

I, You, He, She, We, They -> didn't go on vacation last summer.

Subject + did not (doesn't) + Verb + Objects
Questions
(Why, What, etc.) + did + Subject + Verb + Objects?

Did -> I, you, we, they -> attend the meeting last week?
Past Continuous Structure:
Positive
Subject + conjugate the helping verb "be" + verb + -ing.

I was, You were, He was, She was, We were, You were, They were -> sleeping when I arrived.
Negative
Subject + conjugate the helping verb "be" + not + verb + -ing.

I wasn't, You weren't, He wasn't, She wasn't, We weren't , They weren't ->
working when he came into the room.

Questions

Question word + conjugate the helping verb 'be' + subject + verb + -ing

What -> were you, they -> doing at seven o'clock?
What -> was I, he, she -> doing at seven o'clock?
Study the Past Simple and Past Continuous in Depth:

Here are detailed guides to the past simple and the past continuous tenses. Each guide provides situations, common time expressions used with the tense, as well as examples.
These guides were prepared beginners and include dialogues and a short quiz. You can use them to review.
Past simple with the verb "to be" for beginners
Past simple with regular and irregular verbs for beginners
It's also important to know your irregular past simple forms which are included in this list of the most important irregular past simple and past participle verb forms

Since, For, All

When something happened
When did you start (working/classes) today?
I started at 8 am.

When did you first start working at Disney?
I started in May of 2009.

When would you like a reservation?
I would like a reservation for 2 weeks, from December 13th to the 30th.

How long something happened or will take place

How long did you have work/classes for today?
I had classes/work for eight hours today.

How long did you work for?
I worked for eight hours.

How long did you work at Disney?
I worked at Disney for one year.

How long have you been learning English?
I have been learning English for 10 years.
I have been learning English since I was 8 years old.


Since and For
((Time in the past, ex 1992))------- continuous action still happening-------- use SINCE

---continuous action that happened in the past OR is still happening (( 4 years )) ----- use FOR

She's been working with us since May. (continuous action – working)
She's been working with us for a year.
I haven't worked at Disney since September. (continuous action – not working at Disney)
I haven't worked at Disney for a month.
I have been a tourism student for five years. (continuous action – being a student)

NOTE:
Since can also be used to replace because.

He cannot come to dinner, since he has karate class.

All
We use neither for or since with all ( all day/all night/all of my life).
It is still a continuous action, all is used with past present and future tense.

----continuous action that happened in the past and consumes a unit of time (( a day of classes))--- ALL

I had classes all day.

I've lived here all my life.
We partied all night.
The event took place all day.

Present Perfect

Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
• I have been to France.
• I have been to France three times.
• I have never been to France.
• I think I have seen that movie before.
• He has never traveled by train.
• Joan has studied two foreign languages.

Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
• You have grown more mature from your year abroad.
• The travel industry has become more interested in eco-friendly tourism.
• Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
• My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
• He has walked the Appalachian Trail.
• Our son has learned a lot from working in Africa.
• The students have finished their week of exams.

An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
• James has not finished his homework yet.
• Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
• Bill has still not arrived at the airport.
• The rain hasn't stopped for a week.

Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
• The army has attacked that city five times.
• I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
• We have had many major problems while working on this project.
• She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Travel Talk

Where have you traveled ? or travelled ??

Where have you been ? Where have you visited ? Countries, cities, regions – as tourism students most of you enjoy traveling, and love to discuss the places you’ve seen and the cultures you’ve experienced. This lesson is to help you become more acquainted with the correct grammar of discussing your travel history.

Travel, Trips, Cruises, Vacations
There are many ways to describe travel. In English, a journey is usually a long period of time. For example, a journey abroad would be more than one month somewhere, with more than one destination.

A vacation is normally a trip taken with the main concern being leisure. In British English, this is known as a ‘holiday’. For Americans, a holiday is: any day of exemption from work. In America, you normally have two weeks vacation time per year, so it's important to relax during this time. You want to relax and enjoy your time in a 'laid-back' fashion. You can have a vacation that takes you to more than one place, and takes over a month. It the purpose of the vacation that makes it a vacation or holiday, and not a journey.

“I was on vacation in Florida last week.”
“We took a vacation last month to Canada.”
“The French are always on holidays the month of August.”

A trip is usually to list one destination. For example,

"We took a trip to New York City for the weekend."
Road-trip is taken in a car, truck, van or camper/RV.
"We took a cross-country road-trip to California on Route 66, it was a real journey."

Cruises are pretty obvious, they are on a boat. They can be for a multitude of reasons. There is Cruises for Senior Citizens, focusing on an age-group with similar interests. Cruises for single people, looking to date while on the Cruise. Family Cruises, Adventure Cruises, Sight-Seeing Cruises (to Alaska for example.)

"Journeys & Voyages"

A journey is often seen as being a long trip with multiple stops.
I took a backpacking trip to Europe. It was a real journey.
Marco Polo journeyed to China and back again.

A voyage is similar to a journey, being very long, but on a boat.
Christopher Columbus took a voyage across the Atlantic to discover "the West Indies".

First Days Notes - Niv 3 Group A

Past tense Review -

She was in New York. (to be: I was, He/She/It was)
You were in New York.
They were in New York.
The people were in New York. (Persons is acceptible in British English)

She went to New York. (to go: I went, He/She/It went, You went, They Went, We went)

Please assure that you pronounce your 's' at the end of words.

Who's been where?

Where have you been?
There is more than one way to ask this question.

Where have you traveled to?
Where have you lived?
What countries/cities have you visited?
Where are you from?
What’s your favorite place you have visited?
Where is the worst place you have spent vacation?

More questions...

How many times have you visited this place?
How long did you live in the place?
How long did it take you to get there?
How did you travel there?
Was it expensive?
Would you recommend this place to someone else?
Why were you there, for work or for pleasure?
Where did you stay/live? Did you have an apartment or house? Did you like the neighborhood?
What did you do there in your free time? On weekends?
What did you like to eat there? Did you eat at home or at restaurants?

Where would you like to go?
There is many ways to ask this question as well.

Where is your dream place to travel to?
Where do you plan on visting next?
Where is a place you haven’t been, that you would like to go?

More questions ...
Why do you want to visit… ?
How do you plan on getting there?
Where will you be staying?
How long will you be staying there for? Will you visit more than one city?
How do you plan on getting around once you are there?
What will you visit when you are there? What do you plan on seeing?
Do you prefer traveling for leisure, touristic sites, or adventure?

Intro Expectations & Grading

Expectations & Grading
• Attendance – 5%
Attendance is mandatory in accordance with University of Angers standards as well as the IMIS-ESTHUA policy that no absence is excused without a valid Doctor’s Note, Transportation Strike, or Emergency. You will lose points for not coming to class, or consistently showing up late.
• Participation – 10 %
Your participation will directly benefit your English. The more effort you put into class activities, the more you will get out of this class. Participation includes individual & group in-class assignments, pronunciation, and your efforts at preparing written material, including grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. This also includes an assessment of your displayed level of comprehension and ability to express yourself in English.
• Unannounced Review Quiz – 20%
This will be a short review of the things that we have learned up until this point.
• Group Presentation – 25%
This will be assigned on October 3rd with an in-class presentation on October 24th.
• Final Exam – 30%
This will take place on November 21st, and review the entire semester.
Subjects Covered • Tourism
We will focus on traditional tourism, as well as modern ideas like eco-tourism and trends like trekking.
• Technology
There will be a great deal of discussion of the internet, travel websites, and other current technologies.
• Culture
I will share certain aspects of the American culture, the more fun ones of course.
Building English Language Expression
• Purpose
Each class I will explain the goal of each course, why I have chosen the subject matter, and what you should try to gain from the lesson and activities.
• Lesson, Grammar & Vocabulary
Each class I will explain some aspects of English that will help you to finish the in-class activity, or to help you respond to the discussion of articles. This is to help you build upon the English you already know.
• Increase Written Expression; Ability to Speak & Conversate
The idea is to help you find the way to express yourself in English with more confidence, and be able to discuss the subjects you will be required to discuss one day in the tourism field; as well as topics you want to discuss or communicate with others.

Welcome Fall Semester 2011 Students!

This blog is created as a resource for access to all links and documents used in class. It is not only eco-friendly because it will save paper, but is updated frequently with new information. You will be able to access any of the information from this class long after you take your exam for your class. You will see some of the information from past classes is already posted here, and any lesson that I choose reused is updated with new material.

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments. (Or you can post your questions directly to the blog for all to see and benefit!)