Boost Your IT CV and Land the Interview Today

You may have an education plan in mind that can help you land your dream IT job. While Western International University degree programs can help you get the right information you need to succeed in an internet technology career, your first step is to tackle the interview. But how does one go about getting to an interview? The answer is simple: having the right CV.

What is a CV?

A curriculum vitae, better known as a CV, is a piece of paper that describes your history in the profession you’re applying for. Not only does this include any direct experience you have in the field, but it also includes your education background. Depending on the length of your work experience, you may choose to put more emphasis on your education. This is especially the case if you are new to the field and are applying for entry-level positions.

Components for an IT Job

While a good CV is important for any job, you have to make sure it is appropriate for the job you’re looking for. In the case of the IT industry, you must make sure that your CV highlights your educational background in the field, as well as any direct work experience you might have. Think carefully about your work details, as you will want to highlight every bit of related credentials that will help you land the interview.

When building an IT CV, you should also consider other components, such as certifications. You should also indicate that your willingness to keep up with the industry in the form of future certifications. If your credentials create a longer list than one page will allow for, feel free to do so—while you want to keep your CV to the point, you also need to make sure that you get the right information on it, too.

Distributing Your CV

Once you have a solid IT CV, you should determine the best places to distribute the information. Before graduation, you should already have an idea of what type of job you want. You may also want to decide whether you want to work out in the field or at a support desk, as this can impact your overall career objective.

You can look for job openings:

• Online
• In the newspaper
• On campus
• By asking a company in person

Interview Preparation

The real goal of a CV is to get you to the job interview. An interviewer certainly won’t call you back if your CV is in bad shape. If you get the call, this means that means you have built a solid CV and you should be proud of yourself. Still, the work isn’t over yet, as you still need to ace the interview. By keeping your experience and education in check, you can get across your credentials to your potential employer. Add a genuine personality to that, and then you may just land yourself the IT job of your dreams.

Jessica is a full-time editor currently considering an online degree program. Feel free to follow her on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Martin Boulanger, http://boulanger.martin.free.fr

1 in 4 Spaniards out of work at end of 3rd quarter

MADRID — One Spaniard in four is now officially out of work as the economic crisis tightens its grip on the country.

The National Statistics Institute said Friday that 85,000 more people joined the ranks of the unemployed between July and September, raising the total to 5.78 million. The figures brought the country's unemployment rate up by around 0.4 percentage points in the third quarter to 25.02 percent.

For those under 25 years of age, the unemployment rate edged down marginally to 52 percent from 53 percent in the previous quarter.

The institute said that over the past 12 months some 800,000 people had lost their jobs.

Spain is under pressure to ask for outside aid to help deal with its debts. The country is in its second recession in three years. It has already been granted a €100 billion ($130 billion) bailout facility for its troubled banks while many of its regional government are also in bad financial shape.

In September, the European Central Bank said it would buy unlimited amounts of bonds in countries struggling with their debts if they formally apply for aid. This has helped Spain by lowering its borrowing costs, but conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has held off triggering the actual purchases. Read more..

My English is not well - Role of proofreaders

Here are some of the main skills and techniques that proofreaders require to do their work. Proofreaders need to:

• Scrutinise documents in minute detail in order to identify errors
• Identify the common proof errors that are often missed by writers and editors
• Use a structured proofreading process to ensure error-free copy
• Mark up copy using the classic proofreading correction marks
• Proofread long documents patiently and without losing concentration
• Spot and correct mistakes in grammar and punctuation
• Spot and correct errors in capitalisation and hyphenation
• Recognise a wide range of words and identify when they are used or spelled wrongly
• Use agreed (or house) style rules to ensure consistency
• Judge when to change something and when to leave it as it is
• Query decisively and effectively when there may be an ambiguity in the text.

Do you have any tips or techniques for effective proofreading?

Berlin schools 'racially segregating' children

Several primary and secondary schools in Berlin are segregating migrant children into classes with "vastly inferior education," to attract "ethnic Germans," an NGO has told a United Nations Human Rights session in Geneva.

The report, drawn up by the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) noted that children of immigrants are being segregated from native-born German pupils on the putative grounds that their German language skills are inadequate for regular classes.

“In fact, although they speak German as a second language (in most cases), their language skills generally are adequate for regular classes, but serve as a proxy for discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or other suspect criteria,” the OSJI reported.

“The discriminatory practices stigmatise migrant students, undermine their potential to integrate and participate fully in German society, and violate Germany’s obligations to prohibit discrimination,” the report concluded.

Serdar Yazar, of the Berlin Brandenburg Turkish association (TBB), which helped gather data and parents' testimonies for the report, was unsurprised by its conclusions, but said that active segregation was a new development.

"This is a new tendency," he told The Local. "We've had a lot of negative references for children of immigrant background who want to go to other schools, but in the last two or three years we've had more and more cases of separated classes."

He cites one particularly well-known case of a primary school in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. Read more..

School bans homework for two years

German school kids are feeling the brunt of changes to their educational system with longer days - so one grammar school decided recently to bring in a homework ban to help pupils unwind.

Youngsters in grades five to nine at the Elsa-Brändström high school in North Rhine-Westphalia should have a lot more free time after the autumn holidays – as their school council have agreed to stop assigning homework.

Though pupils struggling in certain areas could still get the odd task to do, generally “no child would be having their free time dominated by doing school work” head teacher Brigitte Fontein told the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung on Friday.

Instead, teaching time would be used to do more work, as the school has mostly double periods, explained Fontein.

The decision was made after a longer school day was introduced at many high schools because a year was recently cut out of Germany's high school system.

Because pupils were now being kept in school until 6pm in many cases, they should have time after this to unwind, Fontein said.

The German school system has come under fire from the Education and Science Workers' Union (GEW) recently, which said that pupils are put under far too much pressure at school. Read more..

Graduates to be offered £20,000 to train as computer science teachers

Michael Gove announces new courses designed with help from Facebook, Microsoft and IBM to improve basic, boring school lessons


Graduates are to be offered £20,000 scholarships to train as computer science teachers in an initiative launched by the UK government and backed by companies including Microsoft and Facebook.

The move is part of a package of reforms aimed at overhauling computer science education, giving children the skills to write programs rather than simply focusing on word processing skills.

The education secretary, Michael Gove, announced on Friday that current information and communications technology teacher training courses will be axed from next year. Instead, ministers will offer scholarships worth £20,000 to attract high-achieving graduates to train as computer science teachers.

Teachers and industry leaders are concerned that the way ICT is currently taught in schools leaves children bored and learning little beyond the most basic digital skills.

Under the new measures, industry experts have set out the subject knowledge required of all new computer science teachers. This includes being able to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts such as algorithms and logic.

The new teacher training courses will begin next September, when around 50 scholarships will be available to applicants with a 1st or a 2.1 degree.

Gove said: "Computer science is not just a rigorous, fascinating and intellectually challenging subject. It is also vital to our success in the global race.

Read more..

Forgotten women of science win recognition online

By late afternoon scores of red women on Sam Haskell's list had turned blue: female scientists, some dead and some living, many immensely distinguished, some geniuses, but whose names have almost been forgotten even by their peers.

Up the grand marble staircase of the Royal Society in London, under the imposing gold and white library ceiling, women and a handful of men had gathered, joined by many more online across the world, to correct a gross injustice.

The list gradually changing colour on Haskell's screen represented hundreds of women scientists who have either never had a Wikipedia entry, or whose lives and work are dismissed in a stub a few lines long.

The names turning blue represented the success of a live edit-a-thon jointly organised by the Royal Society, where Haskell is digital communications officer, and Wikimedia UK – together with the promoters of Ada Lovelace Day, held every year in honour of the 19th-century mathematician, daughter of the poet Lord Byron, who became a pioneer of computing theory.

The event in London was booked out for weeks, but many more joined online, some starting work days ago.

Read more

UK employment hits all-time high

More people are in employment in the UK than at any time since records began in 1971, rising to nearly 30m for June to August, according to official Government data.

The Office for National Statistics said the employment level rose to 29.59m for June to August, the highest since records began in January to March 1971 and up 212,000 from March to May.

The number of full-time workers increased by 88,000 to reach 21.45 million. The number of part-time workers increased by 125,000 to reach 8.13 million, the highest figure since comparable records began in 1992.

The figures also showed that unemployment fell more than expected, to 7.9pc from 8.1pc. Analysts had expected the level to remain unchanged.

The number of Britons claiming unemployment also fell unexpectedly, falling by 4,000 in September since the month before to 1.57m, the third consecutive monthly fall and the lowest total since July 2011.

Analysts had forecast an unchanged reading after a sharp fall in August, which was possibly helped by hiring for the London Olympics.

Read more..

UK unemployment fall to 2.5 million hailed by minister - video

Employment minister Mark Hoban welcomes Wednesday's 'landmark' figures showing unemployment at a 15-month low, though he says there are still 'challenges' to face. The surprise fall in joblessness sees it at its lowest rate since June 2011, while the number of people in work has hit the highest level ever recorded.

German gets diploma - 40 years after enrolling

After 63 semesters spanning nearly 40 years of studying, German engineer Werner Kahmann finally managed to get his university diploma. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung he explained why it took him so long. 

When Kahmann, from North Rhine-Westphalia, started his degree at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences it was 1973, Willy Brandt was still the chancellor, Watergate was setting the international media alight - and he was a full four decades younger.

While most students - especially in Germany - take a few years to complete a degree, life got in the way for Kahmann, who told the paper that he “de-matriculated and re-matriculated three times between then and now.”

Kahmann's student ID number was six figures long when he got his first card in 1973 - new students now have an eight-figure number.

“It was nice to have finally managed to get it done,” he added. Relief indeed, after sitting a grand total of 68 exams over his academic career.

“If I had moved to Cologne I would have just got my studying done,” but instead the 61-year-old father decided to commute in from the nearby town of Siegburg, where his girlfriend, football club and bowling team all kept him rooted at home.

The first time Kahmann put his diploma on hold, he broke his leg playing football. The second time, it was 1984 and his daughter was born so he took time out to help raise her. “Then in 2004 when student fees were introduced, I de-matriculated again.”

In 2011, the fee system changed and Kahmann found himself with his nose in a book one again. But this time, it was for real – he earned his diploma a year later, even though the university did not even run the course anymore.

There would be downsides to being a graduate though, he said. “Paying for public transport and not getting reduced tickets for the zoo,” being two of Kahmann's complaints.

Despite taking so long, Kahmann has been working since 1978 as a freelance engineer and draftsman.

“My daughter told me recently that she, aged 27 and with a brilliant job, wants to go and study,” he said. “I just told her that she should see it through to the end.”

Changes to Australian visa service delivery in China

New Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) in Beijing and Shanghai will improve service delivery for Chinese visitors, skilled migrants and business representatives travelling to Australia.

As part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) commitment to client service excellence, the department is expanding its network of AVACs to the People’s Republic of China.

“AVACs will be located in Beijing and Shanghai to provide more convenient access to immigration and citizenship services for clients in these regions,” a departmental spokesman said today.

“The introduction of the AVACs is part of a number of service delivery improvements across the region.”

In addition to the AVACs becoming operational in early September 2012, considerations are under way for possible AVACs to be opened in Guangzhou and Chengdu in 2013.

The AVACs will provide a range of services including extended operating hours with phone lines operating until 5pm weekdays and internet kiosks with an online application tracking facility that enables clients to view the status of their applications.

Optional services provided by the AVAC for an additional service fee include courier services, photocopying, passport photos, SMS notification, translation services, and a premium business lounge providing access to dedicated staff, photocopy and fax facilities, and refreshments.

“All applications will continue to be assessed and decided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship,” the spokesman said.

“Staff at the AVAC will have no involvement in the decision-making process or have any knowledge of the application outcome.”

The introduction of AVACs will also bring changes to where certain visa applications are processed. The Australian Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou will be consolidated as visa processing centres for Northern and Southern China respectively.

Find more here. Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch 02 6264 2244

How to Boost Company Morale and Achieve a Happy Workplace

It’s no secret that the key to a successful business is a happy customer base. However, have you thought of how the morale of your employees can affect your company? Your workforce is the direct connection between your business and customers, and if they aren’t happy, your customers won’t be happy either.

When it comes to boosting company morale, some employers dismiss the idea because they are under the misconception that only larger salaries will inspire a happy workplace. While money might help some workers lead easier lives, extra cash isn’t what inspires good company morale. Instead, consider steps that can help boost morale without making your business fold from excess spending.

Frequent Appreciation

We work to make money—this is a fact of life. For this reason, your employees will show up to work so they can earn their paychecks. At the same time, however, this doesn’t mean that work shouldn’t be enjoyable, and that your workers’ efforts should go undetected. By expressing appreciation for their efforts, you should thank your employees as often as is appropriate. For example, if an employee makes a great sale or makes a customer exceptionally happy, express appreciation as soon as you can. Your employees will feel valued and want to continue to do well in the business.

Give Away Prizes

You may not be in a position to give away hefty bonuses right now, but there are still methods you can utilize to give something tangible to your workforce without breaking the bank. It is also important to give them something they can actually use. For example, if your workforce runs on caffeine, consider giving out mugs as weekly prizes for deserving employees. The best promotional mugs are ones that can be utilized at work and at home.

Facilitate Open Communication

Work places are so busy these days that many employers neglect to communicate with their employees on a regular basis. In some cases, a lack of communication can lead to the impression that you aren’t up for the task. It is important to let others know that you have an open communication policy. This can be done by simply greeting everyone you come across every day. Also, if someone has a concern, make sure you address the situation promptly. Nothing boosts company morale more than offering a mentoring hand to someone who needs it.

Encourage Time Off

What can possibly boost better company morale than more money? The answer is vacations and adequate time off. Make sure that every member of your workforce takes the time off they are entitled to. Also encourage employees to stay home and recover if they are not feeling well. By getting enough rest throughout the year, your staff will be better-functioning when it comes to work matters. You should also consider being flexible by offering different scheduling options for parents. Nothing makes an employee more run down than working a packed 10-hour schedule with young kids at home.

Photo Credit: Svilen Milev, http://efffective.com

Process of acquiring a global visa to travel to USA

Get set for two appointments

Come September 26 and as per Washington's new visa processing system, applicants seeking a US visa will have to seek two appointments, one for biometric collection and the other for interview.

Applicants will have to seek separate appointments, either online or by phone, from the US embassy or Consulate as per the new system, Josh Glazeroff, Consul General of US Embassy in India said here today.

The biometric collection will be done at an Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC) while the interview will be held at the US Embassy or consulate, Glazeroff said.

Once the finger prints are given, processing of visa application will be completed within 30-40 minutes the next day, he said, asserting that taking of finger-prints will be once in a lifetime process.

US visa payment now made online
The process of acquiring a global visa to travel to USA has turned online with the visa related queries now being addressed on the recently launched visa application website as well as on the Embassy’s Facebook page.

“Last year, the number of Indians visiting USA was 6,50,000 and the number is increasing, so we planned ahead and wanted to create a visa system on an electronic forum which is better and faster,” said the Consul General of US Embassy in India, Josh Glazeroff, who was in Chandigarh today to speak on the new system.

It is now possible to pay the visa fee online and for technical assistance, one could dial the call center or engage in an online chat at their portal. Josh says that this year the waiting time has been significantly reduced, with a maximum of ten days waiting for an appointment and that the consul section strives to relieve applicants within thirty minutes.