If you need to see me for a VERY quick question tomorrow, I will be in my office from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Liz Siler
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Schedule for the last two weeks!
WEEK 14
MONDAY: Workday
WEDNESDAY: Critique (have your site ready to be critiqued)
FRIDAY: Group evaluation of each other
WEEK 15
MONDAY: Roll book review (tentative grade RANGE discussion)
WEDNESDAY: Work day (course evaluations)
FRIDAY: Work day (submit your link by 5 p.m.)
MONDAY: Workday
WEDNESDAY: Critique (have your site ready to be critiqued)
FRIDAY: Group evaluation of each other
WEEK 15
MONDAY: Roll book review (tentative grade RANGE discussion)
WEDNESDAY: Work day (course evaluations)
FRIDAY: Work day (submit your link by 5 p.m.)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Formatting guidelines for your cover letter
Just a quick note:
You may choose one of the many formats for a cover letter that can be found on the Virginia Tech website.
You may also want to look directly at Microsoft Word. Some of the templates in the chooser can be useful (or modified) to create a nice cover letter.
Finally, the handbook has choices as well. You may look at those for a choice of template.
HOWEVER, keep this in mind:
1. All letters must be NOT MORE THAN ONE PAGE.
2. All letters should indicate both the sender and the recipient in the headings.
3. All letters should be dated.
4. All letters should indicate enclosures.
5. All letters should be single spaced.
6. Double space between paragraphs.
7. NEVER use a right margin.
8. NEVER indent a paragraph.
You may choose one of the many formats for a cover letter that can be found on the Virginia Tech website.
You may also want to look directly at Microsoft Word. Some of the templates in the chooser can be useful (or modified) to create a nice cover letter.
Finally, the handbook has choices as well. You may look at those for a choice of template.
HOWEVER, keep this in mind:
1. All letters must be NOT MORE THAN ONE PAGE.
2. All letters should indicate both the sender and the recipient in the headings.
3. All letters should be dated.
4. All letters should indicate enclosures.
5. All letters should be single spaced.
6. Double space between paragraphs.
7. NEVER use a right margin.
8. NEVER indent a paragraph.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
I have received a request to answer this question, so here it is:
1. Stick to one page.
2. Properly format your cover letter. Always single space. There are multiple good formats in the handbook and on the WEBsite of the Virginia Tech.
3. Think THREE paragraphs.
4. Paragraph #1, Sentence 1: Explain WHY you are writing. Do NOT introduce yourself.
Example: I write to apply for the position of Office Manager. . ./ I write to submit a resume for possible future openings in the field of bridge engineering. . ./ I write to inquire about possible openings. . .
5. Paragraph #1 Sentence 2: Explain HOW you learned about the job/company.
Example: I learned about this opening from. . ./ You website provides great information about your company's goals. . ./
6. Paragraph #1, Sentence 3: Provide a thesis that connects you to the company.
Example: The job position as described fits well with my interests and educational background/ There is an excellent fit between your company's mission and my specific interests. . .
7. In Paragraph 2, draw specific connections between yourself and the company. Do not just repeat what is on your resume. Flesh it out and build it up. Give a good example. If you are applying for a specific job, discuss specifically how you meet those criteria.
8. In Paragraph 3, 4 refer to your resume and encourage them to look at it. Repeat the thesis in different words. Tell the company how they may contact you and outline your next step. Will you call them?
1. Stick to one page.
2. Properly format your cover letter. Always single space. There are multiple good formats in the handbook and on the WEBsite of the Virginia Tech.
3. Think THREE paragraphs.
4. Paragraph #1, Sentence 1: Explain WHY you are writing. Do NOT introduce yourself.
Example: I write to apply for the position of Office Manager. . ./ I write to submit a resume for possible future openings in the field of bridge engineering. . ./ I write to inquire about possible openings. . .
5. Paragraph #1 Sentence 2: Explain HOW you learned about the job/company.
Example: I learned about this opening from. . ./ You website provides great information about your company's goals. . ./
6. Paragraph #1, Sentence 3: Provide a thesis that connects you to the company.
Example: The job position as described fits well with my interests and educational background/ There is an excellent fit between your company's mission and my specific interests. . .
7. In Paragraph 2, draw specific connections between yourself and the company. Do not just repeat what is on your resume. Flesh it out and build it up. Give a good example. If you are applying for a specific job, discuss specifically how you meet those criteria.
8. In Paragraph 3, 4 refer to your resume and encourage them to look at it. Repeat the thesis in different words. Tell the company how they may contact you and outline your next step. Will you call them?
Friday, October 31, 2008
UPDATE: GETTING READY FOR THE END
PAPER #1: If you have conferenced with me about this, resubmit at by 7 p.m. tonight. Do not resubmit if you haven't conferenced. Final conferences are possible from 2:30 to 3:00 today in the lab.
PAPER #2: Final interview is Monday. 5 questions: Tell me about yourself + the question you were asked in the practice + 3 others taken from the ones we've done in class. Check the website for more on this. Bring your business card to the interview and plan on handing it to me at the end of the interview (when you thank me for the interview -- it's always good to thank a person for the interview).
Paper #2 is due by November 7 at 7 p.m. Submit the resume and the cover letter as WORD attachments to an emal.
PAPER #3: KEEP WORKING ON THIS.
PAPER #2: Final interview is Monday. 5 questions: Tell me about yourself + the question you were asked in the practice + 3 others taken from the ones we've done in class. Check the website for more on this. Bring your business card to the interview and plan on handing it to me at the end of the interview (when you thank me for the interview -- it's always good to thank a person for the interview).
Paper #2 is due by November 7 at 7 p.m. Submit the resume and the cover letter as WORD attachments to an emal.
PAPER #3: KEEP WORKING ON THIS.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
PRE: Week 9, Day 1, Monday, October 20, 2008
Final Preparation for the Presentation
REMINDER: I will be in the lab 2-4 tomorrow (Sunday) to help anyone who has final questions about their presentation. REMINDER: I am always available from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. in Lab 101. You could see me on Monday if you had a question before your presentation.
The presentations will be held in the classroom downstairs. Please be there and be on time. Early would be better. Please review the many previous postings on this blog about the presentation.
Your presentation will be taped. You should have your powerpoint presentation ready and on a portable (thumb) drive as well as in your email account. Your presentation should effectively answer these three questions:
What do you know about the company? (Focus on basic, important structural, organizational and financial information -- not trivial and arcane data. If talking about a graduate school focus on structural/organizational information as well as ratings).
What is attractive about the company? (Imagine the company interviewer asks you this question. What will you say and how will you say it?).
How do you see yourself fitting into this company? (Do the thinking for the interviewer --- if they hired you, where should they put you/what should they do with you to maximize their investment?)
Please review the powerpoint guidelines I've put up. Please be dressed neatly --- but not professionally (no need to wear a suit) for this presentation.
REMINDER: I will be in the lab 2-4 tomorrow (Sunday) to help anyone who has final questions about their presentation. REMINDER: I am always available from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. in Lab 101. You could see me on Monday if you had a question before your presentation.
The presentations will be held in the classroom downstairs. Please be there and be on time. Early would be better. Please review the many previous postings on this blog about the presentation.
Your presentation will be taped. You should have your powerpoint presentation ready and on a portable (thumb) drive as well as in your email account. Your presentation should effectively answer these three questions:
What do you know about the company? (Focus on basic, important structural, organizational and financial information -- not trivial and arcane data. If talking about a graduate school focus on structural/organizational information as well as ratings).
What is attractive about the company? (Imagine the company interviewer asks you this question. What will you say and how will you say it?).
How do you see yourself fitting into this company? (Do the thinking for the interviewer --- if they hired you, where should they put you/what should they do with you to maximize their investment?)
Please review the powerpoint guidelines I've put up. Please be dressed neatly --- but not professionally (no need to wear a suit) for this presentation.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
POST: Week 8, Day 2, Wednesday, October 15, 2008
MORE ON YOUR PRESENTATION
I. Content of the presentation.
Please note what we discussed in class today -- and look carefully at previous assignment information on this blog.
The first minute of the presentation is about the company. Imagine you are in an interview. The interviewer asks you, "so what do you know about our company?" What would you say?
The second minute of the presentation is about particular interesting features of the company. Imagine in the same interview the interviewer asks, "so what attracted you to our company?"
The third minutes is a reply to another question --- about how you fit into the company. Imagine the same interviewer asking you, "so how do you see yourself fitting into the company?
II. About slides
Slides should:
-- not contain whole sentences.
-- be written more in "outline" form with phrases.
-- always contain cited information. Don't tell me that Starbucks is the #1 coffee retailer in the world without telling me where you learned that!
III. About the presentation in class
NOTE: We will do the presentation on Monday of Week 9
1. You need to be in the classroom downstairs BEFORE 11:00 on Monday.
2. You need your PowerPoint presentation on a portable drive. Do NOT send it to yourself by email. Be sure it works with our system! If you have questions, try running it in the lab today!
3. I will be there early. A technician from Media Services will be videotaping the presentations.
4. I will use the following sheet to evaluate your presentation:
ORAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION (25 points possible)
PRESENTATION (5 points possible)
*Audience contact. I will look for:
Good eye contact
No evidence of reading off of slides or notes or memorization
Relaxed presence
Interaction with the slides – you should refer to the slides as you talk – but not read off them
* Language . I will listen for
Good voice projection
Accurate use of the English language
Clear, but not perfect, articulation
Correct use of words and oral grammar
CONTENT: (10 points possible) I will look/listen for:
Accurate information about the three parts/questions I gave you to consider
Enough information.
Information relates to topic.
Information from at least three sources
Information cited on slides
Information referenced
Evidence of a significant research effort
VISUALS (10 points) I hope to see
Directions regarding number of slides and format followed
Information related to the oral report
Current information
Accurate information
Neatness
Correct grammar
Correct spelling
5. Each student in the class will fill out the following form about your presentation as well:
STUDENT COMMENT AND RESPONSE FORM
Name of student being evaluated: _______________________
Company/Grad School: __________________________________________
1. What was the best feature of this presentation?
2. What one suggestion would you give the student to improve the presentation?
3. What more would you like to know about the company?
I. Content of the presentation.
Please note what we discussed in class today -- and look carefully at previous assignment information on this blog.
The first minute of the presentation is about the company. Imagine you are in an interview. The interviewer asks you, "so what do you know about our company?" What would you say?
The second minute of the presentation is about particular interesting features of the company. Imagine in the same interview the interviewer asks, "so what attracted you to our company?"
The third minutes is a reply to another question --- about how you fit into the company. Imagine the same interviewer asking you, "so how do you see yourself fitting into the company?
II. About slides
Slides should:
-- not contain whole sentences.
-- be written more in "outline" form with phrases.
-- always contain cited information. Don't tell me that Starbucks is the #1 coffee retailer in the world without telling me where you learned that!
III. About the presentation in class
NOTE: We will do the presentation on Monday of Week 9
1. You need to be in the classroom downstairs BEFORE 11:00 on Monday.
2. You need your PowerPoint presentation on a portable drive. Do NOT send it to yourself by email. Be sure it works with our system! If you have questions, try running it in the lab today!
3. I will be there early. A technician from Media Services will be videotaping the presentations.
4. I will use the following sheet to evaluate your presentation:
ORAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION (25 points possible)
PRESENTATION (5 points possible)
*Audience contact. I will look for:
Good eye contact
No evidence of reading off of slides or notes or memorization
Relaxed presence
Interaction with the slides – you should refer to the slides as you talk – but not read off them
* Language . I will listen for
Good voice projection
Accurate use of the English language
Clear, but not perfect, articulation
Correct use of words and oral grammar
CONTENT: (10 points possible) I will look/listen for:
Accurate information about the three parts/questions I gave you to consider
Enough information.
Information relates to topic.
Information from at least three sources
Information cited on slides
Information referenced
Evidence of a significant research effort
VISUALS (10 points) I hope to see
Directions regarding number of slides and format followed
Information related to the oral report
Current information
Accurate information
Neatness
Correct grammar
Correct spelling
5. Each student in the class will fill out the following form about your presentation as well:
STUDENT COMMENT AND RESPONSE FORM
Name of student being evaluated: _______________________
Company/Grad School: __________________________________________
1. What was the best feature of this presentation?
2. What one suggestion would you give the student to improve the presentation?
3. What more would you like to know about the company?
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