Show, Don't TellWritten by Martin Avis
A good writer knows to restrict narrative and emphasise action. We all think in images, so it is unsurprising that we respond best when image is clear.'Jane slammed door so hard that dust billowed out of frame.' is far more powerful (and interesting) than 'Jane slammed door.' Painting mental images in mind's of audience is not just preserve of fiction writers. It is a powerful tool in hands of a good salesperson, and a vital technique in any form of public speaking. For example, a sales rep for a cookie company wouldn't go into a store and describe cookies. He would hand buyer a sample and while it was being eaten, wax lyrical about unique properties and popularity. In a presentation, how much stronger it is to say something like: 'Every day we sell to more people than visit Disneyland' rather than 'Sales reached 120,000 per day.'
| | FIRST-AID FOR AN AILING RESUMEWritten by Meredith Pond
With economy threatening a recession, many corporations aren't doing as well as their profit projections have predicted. As a result, thousands of people are being laid off every week. All of these people are out there looking for a shrinking number of high-paying jobs with few companies that ARE financially sound. If you're one of those unfortunate professionals who has been left to hunt for a new job, it's more important than ever that you make a good first impression.Most people would assume that first opportunity to make an impression on a company arises at first personal interview. As reasonable as that sounds, reality is a bit less obvious. Have you ever stopped to think that absolute first impression you make on a potential employer is made through your resume? As you might expect, most HR managers will start by sorting out which resumes include required experience, skills, and education. Contrary to popular belief, however, you won't necessarily be dismissed off-hand if you don't possess everything mentioned in company's ad. Many companies (especially good ones) place a huge amount of importance on personality, work ethic, and general "fit" with company and its employees. If you can get in for an interview, you have a good chance of filling those empty shoes. So how do you get your foot in door, especially if you don't have all required skills and education? You guessed it: your stunning resume. When writing your resume, there are a lot of things to think about. First, always include your "objective" near top, right under your name and contact information. In one or two sentences, convey your desire for a challenging, long-term career with a strong company. You don't need to reveal any personal information or tell them your life story. Supplement your objective with a BRIEF, to-the-point cover letter, explaining who you are, where you saw ad, and why you should be considered for job. When listing your past work experience, start with most recent position and work your way back. When describing your duties, don't water it down too much, and be specific. Instead of saying that you were in charge of accounts payable, tell them you were responsible for accurate and timely invoice entry, as well as reviewing vouchers for errors, posting transactions, printing checks, etc.
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