These chapters show us how to gather information, develop good sources, and reminds us to be critical thinkers when writing. Chapter 6 informs us to gather information from credible sources. This will gain you credibility and show the reader you worked hard and believe in what you are writing. Making a plan before researching will save time and help you to find the most effective material to use. Good research starts with defining your research objective, identifying the full range of sources that may have helpful information, and gathering information that can be analyzed in subgroups.
In Chapter 7 helps us to analyze all of our thoughts and facts. Explaining the importance of your material to the reader is important so that the reader can understand what your conclusions means to them. You want to communicate your key point and call for action to the reader so they can make connections to make their own decisions. Well rounded main points and quality research on your part will deliver your message clearly to the reader.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Technical Communication Ch 4 & 5
Chapter 4 & 5 of Technical Communication help writers to organize and plan when taking action to write a report. Chapter 4 explains how to organize main points in an article or report in the most effective way possible. After identifying information that your reader needs, the writer has to organize their thoughts and information in a way so the reader can easily find them. Three organizational strategies that increase usability are, Organize hierarchically, group together items your reader will use together, and give the bottom line first. Keeping in mind your audience is key when writing. The reader needs to be engaged, material relevant, and subject matter ethical. Identifing communication's stakeholders, the people who will be affected by that you say and how you say it, will help you make and follow guidelines when writing.
Chapter 5 explains how to communicate your opinion into the article. Persuasion can be used in two ways. First, to influence other people's attitudes and actions. Second, to influence others but to collaborate with them in exploring ideas or possible course of action. You may want to use persuasion in an article to reverse, reinforse, or shape and attitude. It is very important to listen to the thoughts and concers of the reader and ask for feedback. We can aways learn why someone doesn't agree or maybe why they hesitate to agree. This information will help you to better understand a differnt point of view to acurately communicate to others in the future.
Chapter 5 explains how to communicate your opinion into the article. Persuasion can be used in two ways. First, to influence other people's attitudes and actions. Second, to influence others but to collaborate with them in exploring ideas or possible course of action. You may want to use persuasion in an article to reverse, reinforse, or shape and attitude. It is very important to listen to the thoughts and concers of the reader and ask for feedback. We can aways learn why someone doesn't agree or maybe why they hesitate to agree. This information will help you to better understand a differnt point of view to acurately communicate to others in the future.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Business Article: Who are You Working for?
Who are You Working For?
“I HATE MY JOB!” How many times have you heard this or maybe even said this about your job? Too often employees detest their job, boss, or co-workers. How do employees end up in a job that is miserable? Vital research before accepting a job will help job seekers make wiser decisions and well rounded opinions about potential employers. Taking a step back, a deep breath, and a little research can prevent rushing into a painful career.
In today’s economy, the perfect job is not always easy to find. People jump to the first opening and accept a position without any knowledge of the employer. Many people are led to believe jobs are scarce, take what you can get, competition will only increase, and other misconceptions regarding the working world. Although there is a level of truth to these allegations, fear can not push a job seeker into a job they’ll hate. Job seekers, particularly college students, need to acknowledge special strengths and credit hard work and determination as assets. In order to fall in love with a job, job seekers must not settle. After all work is work; but shouldn’t work bring a person joy of accomplishing tasks and a sense of fulfillment?
Run a Background Check
Alina Dizik, CareerBuilder researcher, suggests job seekers take action and run a background check on potential employers. It sounds strange to reverse roles and investigate an employer, but it will pay off in the end. Check the finances for signs of bankruptcies or lawsuits. Evaluate the company culture and decide if it is a good fit. An uncomfortable environment for one employee might not suit another. An employee’s performance will lack in a culture that they are not used to. Track layoff and career progression and if possible find out who occupied the position available and reasons for the position opening. Also it’s important to research how the company solves problems and gain insight on the way employees are treated. Digging a little deeper to understand the company/employer will also allow room for sound, valid questions in the interviewing process.
Using the right resources to run a background check on a business is important. The Better Business Bureau gives consumer, business, and job seekers information on business reputations. The potential employer’s website will provide positive information about the company. It will also give job seekers a heads up of the company structure and the environment of the company. Former employees can also be a good resource.
Rejecting a Job Offer
After researching a potential employer and evidence reveals this isn’t the right fit, it is okay to decline a job offer. Thanking the selection or interviewing committee is always appreciated. It is not necessary to give reasons for rejecting the offer. However keeping a good stance with the company is helpful for future opportunities. Referring other candidates shows respect to the company and earns creditability.
Find a Job to Love; It’s Worth it!
Running a background search on a company is worth the time and energy. Job seekers will find a position to grow and prosper in when they enjoy the work. Jayne Mattson, Senior Vice President of Keystone Associates, a career management company, said, a background search “will help you and the company make sure the role is going to be a good fit for both of you. Ask questions that will get to the heart of what you are trying to understand, so you will make the right career decisions.” Accepting a job, starting a career, or switching jobs, are huge commitments. It’s crucial to take the right steps and precautions and fall in love with a job.
Background Checks on Potential Employers
This article titled Do Background Check on Potential Employer by Alina Dizik brings out a very good point when looking for a job. So now instead of begging for a job and taking the first postion availbale we are being told to stand back and weigh the options. Too many people get into a postion where they hate their job. Diaz suggests to check the finanicancs, gauge the company culture, check it's solving problem record, and, track layofsf and career progression. These helpful hints will help you find the right job and love it.
This article sparked my interest becuase in today's economy jobs are hard to find. But we still need to take precautions and not jump into anything too soon. It is important to find a job that you like becuase you are more apt to keep the job and preform better.
This article sparked my interest becuase in today's economy jobs are hard to find. But we still need to take precautions and not jump into anything too soon. It is important to find a job that you like becuase you are more apt to keep the job and preform better.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Online Reputation and Getting a Job
In Writing for Business at Grand View University we have been discussing online presences and the good, bad, and ugly that can come from an online reputation. This article by Kate Duttro Titled, How Your Online Reputation Can Kill Jobs for You, points out the growing concern and use of online resources and decisions based these usages. Showing up online in a negative or "inappropriate" light can ruin a chance for a job, especially for jobs such as Teachers. Even if you are conscience of any information or posts that may appear distasteful to prospective employers keep in mind that post, comments, pictures, etc. made by friends or family can also open employers' eyes to your surroundings and you as a person as a whole. Microsoft put out a study in 2009 performed by Cross-Tab on on how HR professionals use online resources and presentations when reviewing a candidate. The results included this statistic; "89% have used online data mining as part of the hiring process and most consider it appropriate to consider personal data". With this information, we find that more younger people find it inappropriate to for HR to use online social media when deciding to hire a person whereas older generations see no problem with this. Does this mean that there are more younger people using social media? Perhaps. Or does this mean that the younger crowd doesn't hesitate to post comments about last night's party, or pictures of scandalous Halloween pictures? The article concludes that we as consumers are not doing our part by protecting our privacy.
This article brought up many important points that I think people, college/job seekers in particular, tend to forget about when getting involved online. It is very easy to make one or many harmless comments that could ultimately lose you a job you might have dreamed of. And not only do we have to watch what we are putting on the web, but now we are forced to pay attention to that activity of our friends and family. However, from an HR perspective, why not take a look online and see what happens. I think they ought to use all the resources available to them. They are not breaking into anything private anyhow. Practically everything on the web is public as well. The best thing to remember when participating online is to present yourself with dignity, and have an explanation for everything you put on the web.
This article brought up many important points that I think people, college/job seekers in particular, tend to forget about when getting involved online. It is very easy to make one or many harmless comments that could ultimately lose you a job you might have dreamed of. And not only do we have to watch what we are putting on the web, but now we are forced to pay attention to that activity of our friends and family. However, from an HR perspective, why not take a look online and see what happens. I think they ought to use all the resources available to them. They are not breaking into anything private anyhow. Practically everything on the web is public as well. The best thing to remember when participating online is to present yourself with dignity, and have an explanation for everything you put on the web.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Small Business Hiring has Slowed
This article by Thomas Reuters titled Small Business Hiring Slows, Wages Dip expresses the concern of the economy’s effect on the working world and the cycle of hiring. Not only does the article show how hiring has slowed but also people are paid less and given raises less. On a good note Susan Woodward from Intuit (a payroll processing company conducting research) said, “"From this month's numbers, we don't see a new recession, but we don't see a robust recovery either.”
That statement doesn’t give job seekers much to go on. Are they supposed to take a low paying job just for the sake of having a job? Or wait until the economy picks up and jump in then?
Drop in August employment doesn’t mean the economy is back in recession. According to this article this should not be interpreted as a sign the economy is back in recession, when the economy grew 1 percent at an annual rate in the 2nd quarter after expanding only .4 percent in the Jan to Mar period.
When looking for a job having something that no one else has, making yourself unique, and marketing yourself will help make you noticed. I do all the hiring for my company and it’s hard to put a price on GREAT employees. Make yourself that employee that everyone wants and don’t give up fighting for a job.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Billionaires!
Forbes.com recently submitted an article naming 20 of the nation’s youngest billionaires. Most of which happen to have a connection to social media or some type of online accomplishments. Four out of the Five Facebook founders made the list:
Mark Zukerberg- billionaire at age 24
Eduardo Saverin- age 29
Sean Parker- age 31
Dustin Moskovitz- age 27
Seven other young billionaires joined the list with connections to social media, online, etc such as YAHOO, LinkedIn, Zynga (Farmville), and Internet portals.
Investors such as Warren Buffett and John Arnold still dominate the list. They’ve seem to have made fortunes without re-inventing a social media. However, I’m sure they pay close attention to new networking sites, and may even have investments in a few.
And we can’t forget Bill Gates. He’s still going strong in Forbes Magazine. Now the rest of us just need to find out what these people are doing, and do it better!
- Age: 27
- Net worth as of September 2011: $3.5 billion
- Source: Facebook, self-made
- Residence: San Francisco
- Country of citizenship: United States
- Education: Harvard University dropout
- Marital status: Single
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