Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Objective
During this session you will practice your skills such as: preparing for a job interview, knowing how to
answer the correct questions and the use of conjunctions.
All this is essential to you professional practice, company recruiters are seeking for candidates that
are fully capable to attend a job interview, hence the importance of being prepared.
Now, this can also prepare you to be on the other side: being an interviewer in a job interview or
reading a resume from an applicant. So it is important to learn all the aspects that these documents
must contain.
Introduction
In past sessions you have learned topics that will help you with your writing skills and some other that
will help you with your social skills. During this session you will practice how to connect ideas and
thoughts.
It is also vital to be prepared for a job interview, because not everything can be said written in a piece
of paper. You must show your social skills and stand by your resume by showing a great presentation
in you job interview. Dont be nervous and study thoroughly the following session to make things
easier for you.
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4.1 Conjunctions
Most simply, conjunctions connect things. They allow us to make longer more complex
sentences.
See the video: Schoolhouse Rock: Grammar - Conjunction Junction Music Video in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPoBE-E8VOc
There are four types of conjunctions:
Coordinating conjunction
Subordinating
conjunction
Correlative conjunction
Conjunctive adverb
a) Coordinating
- A coordinating conjunction is a single word that joins words, phrases, and clauses of equal
grammatical construction.
Examples:
Knives and spoons (noun & noun),
Run or shout (verb & verb),
Down the stairs and around the house. (Prepositional phrase & prepositional phrase)
- Coordinating conjunctions also join complete sentences, i.e., independent clauses. These
conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight, or rank, to the joined elements.
b) Correlative
- A correlative conjunction is a paired conjunction that, like a coordinating conjunction, joins elements
of equal grammatical construction.
- Correlative conjunctions also imbue equal grammatical weight to elements they join.
- These paired conjunctions join equal elements within an independent clause, forming compound
elements, i.e., subject & subject, verb & verb, object & object, etc., and they can also join independent
clauses.
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c) Subordinating
- A subordinating conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause and joins
the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence.
- The idea, or proposition, expressed by the subordinate clause has less grammatical weight (rank or
importance) than the idea expressed by the main clause.
- Subordinating conjunctions are not true conjunctions; their name, however, derives from their ability
to join clauses.
- Most subordinators are a single word, but some are composed of two or more words, i.e., a phrase.
d) Conjunctive adverb
- A conjunctive adverb is an adverb or adverbial phrase that joins two independent clauses (like a
coordinating conjunction) while providing adverbial emphasis.
- Conjunctive adverbs are not considered true conjunctions.
- Additionally, conjunctive adverbs sometimes function as connectors (something like a bridge)
between words or phrases, linking entire sentences or paragraphs.
- Conjunctive adverbs performing this function are called transitional elements or transitions.
- Finally, an adverbial word or phrase can function as an expletive, also called a function word or
function.
- An expletive is an exclamatory word inserted into a sentence that adds nothing to the meaning of
the sentence; furthermore, these words have no grammatical function within a sentence.
See the video Conjunction Types in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDQvZ1yFXs
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- One clause is dependent upon another, conditionally (usually the first clause is an
imperative): Use your credit cards frequently and youll soon find yourself deep in debt.
- A kind of comment on the first clause: Charlie became addicted to gambling and that
surprised no one who knew him.
d) Nor
Used in negative expressions.
Its most common use is as the little brother in the correlative pair, neither-nor.
e) But
Joins two contrastive propositions (ideas).
- A contrast that is unexpected in light of the first clause. "Joey lost a fortune in the stock market,
but he still seems able to live quite comfortably."
- An affirmative sense what the first part of the sentence implied in a negative way (sometimes
replaced by on the contrary): "The club never invested foolishly, but used the services of a sage
investment counselor."
- To connect two ideas with the meaning of "with the exception of" (and then the second word
takes over as subject): "Everybody but Julie is trying out for the team."
f) Or
Joins two alternative propositions (ideas).
- To suggest that only one possibility can be realized, excluding one or the other: You can study
hard for this exam or you can fail.
- To suggest the inclusive combination of alternatives: We can broil chicken on the grill tonight, or
we can just eat leftovers.
- To suggest a refinement of the first clause: Smith College is the premier all-womens college in
the country, or so it seems to most Smith College alumnae.
- To suggest a restatement or correction of the first part of the sentence: There are no
rattlesnakes in this canyon, or so our guide tells us.
- To suggest a negative condition: The New Hampshire state motto is the rather grim Live free or
die.
- To suggest a negative alternative without the use of an imperative (see use of and above):
They must approve his political style or they wouldnt keep electing him mayor.
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f) Or
First idea (the cause) results in second idea (the effect).
Be careful of the conjunction SO.
- Sometimes it can connect two independent clauses along with a comma, but sometimes it cant. For
instance, in this sentence, Soto is not the only Olympic athlete in his family, so are his brother, sister,
and his Uncle Chet.
- Where the word so means as well or in addition, most careful writers would use a semicolon
between the two independent clauses. In the following sentence, where so is acting like a minorleague therefore, the conjunction and the comma are adequate to the task: Soto has always been
nervous in large gatherings, so it is no surprise that he avoids crowds of his adoring fans.
- Sometimes, at the beginning of a sentence, so will act as a kind of summing up device or transition,
and when it does, it is often set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma: So, the sheriff
peremptorily removed the child from the custody of his parents.
- Joins elements of equal grammatical construction, e.g., two or more nouns, verbs, phrases, or
clauses.
- Can join two or more independent clauses into a single sentence.
- When doing this, they are also joining propositions, or ideas, expressed in each independent clause.
- Lend equal weight, or importance, to the grammatical elements they join.
Then is a conjunction, but it is not one of the little conjunctions listed at the top of this page. We
can use the FANBOYS conjunctions to connect two independent clauses; usually, they will be
accompanied (preceded) by a comma. Too many students think that then works the same way:
Caesar invaded Gaul, then he turned his attention to England. You can tell the difference between
then and a coordinating conjunction by trying to move the word around in the sentence.
See the video FANBOYS: Coordinating Conjunctions in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-catJZm_2TI
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Although
As
though
As
As if
Because
Before
If
In order
that
Provided
that
Even
though
Rather
than
Though
Whenever
Since
So that
Than
Unless
Where
Until
Whereas
When
Wherever
Whether
While
As soon
as
A subordinate conjunction is an adverb that introduces a subordinate adverbial clause into the main
sentence, i.e., the main clause. Grammatically, a subordinate adverbial clause can modify an entire
main clause or just a part of the main clause, although it usually modifies a verb within the main
clause. The subordinate adverbial clause will always answer the question when, where, how, why,
under what condition, or to what degree an action occurred or a situation existed regarding the word
or words it modifies.
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In addition to its function as modifier, a subordinate clause also introduces (adds) its own idea, or
proposition, to the proposition expressed by the main clause, which contains the core idea expressed
by the sentence. The idea expressed by the subordinate clause is ancillary to that expressed by the
main clause. The idea, or proposition, expressed by the subordinate clause is sometimes described
as being lesser in rank to that of the main proposition. Although their name suggests otherwise,
subordinating conjunctions are not true conjunctions; but the name derives from their ability to
incorporate into a sentence another idea in addition to the idea expressed by the main clause.
Because many subordinating conjunctions can also function as other parts of speech, these adverbs
are identified by function alone. All subordinating conjunctions are adverbs or adverbial phrases, but
not all adverbs or adverbial phrases are subordinating conjunctions. Some adverbs can, for instance,
function as conjunctive adverbs, which include transitions and adverbial expletives.
See the video Subordinating Conjunctions in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCGiSFmZky4
See the video Correlatives - Coordinate conjunctions used in pairs in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81c7y491okg
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You may not be able to find specific answers for these questions. But it is good to have a general idea
of salary and benefits for the type of job you want.
Remember that you can contact the company directly to find answers to most of these questions.
2. Review your resume and cover letter and are able to speak in detail about your
accomplishments and how you can help the company.
Write a Resume or Cover Letter
Resumes, cover letters, curriculum vitae (CVs), LinkedIn profiles, personal statements and employer
correspondence play an integral role in your internship or job hunt. In almost every situation, these
documents are the employers first impression of your skills and professionalism. As you craft each
of these documents you are creating a personal brand for yourself that will precede your face-to-face
interaction with an employer. Therefore, each of your documents should be flawless in spelling and
grammar, consistent in content and message and tailored specifically to the employer, company and
position.
As you draft these documents, keep the job description at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you
emphasize experiences in your resume and examples in your cover letter that are consistent with the
skills the company is looking for in their next hire.
Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile Reviews
Once youve written the first draft of your resume or cover letter, swing by for our daily walk-in resume
and cover letter reviews on Monday through Thursday 1:30 4:30 p.m. Exceptions: extended hours 1
5 p.m. on September 14 and 15. There will be no reviews on November 25, 26, or 27. The last day
of reviews for the semester will be December 4th.
If youre applying for a specific position, bring the job description with you so we can help you best
emphasize your qualifications for that company. Whether its formatting, content, grammar or spelling,
we can help ensure that your first impression lasts.
First impressions are important and your LinkedIn profile is often the first link that occurs when
Googling your name. We have added LinkedIn profile reviews alongside our scheduled daily resume
and cover letter reviews. Make sure your on-line presence matches the quality of your resume. Stop
by during scheduled review hours to receive tips and advice to polish up your LinkedIn profile prior.
See the video How to Write a Great Resume and Cover Letter in the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTh4HJpD3j8
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3. Practice your interview with someone. Have your friend use the interview questions below. Your
mock interviews should cover every part of the interview. You should wear the same clothes, hairstyle,
and jewelry you will wear at the interview.
Practicing is one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview. A mock interview with a professional
is one way to learn and practice interviewing skills. Another is to use an online interview preparation
tool. Both of those are fee-based options, but you can still practice even if you cant afford
professional assistance.
To more information click the link:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/practice/a/online-practice-interviews.htm
- Do-It-Yourself Interviewing Practice
There are a number of ways to prepare for an interview at home without the help of a professional
career counselor or coach or a fee-based service. You can practice interviews all by yourself or recruit
friends and family to assist you.
- Practice Answering Interview Questions.
The simplest way to prepare is to create a list of common interview questions and answer each
question out loud. The more you practice, the more you will be prepared to respond during an actual
job interview.
- Use Flashcards.
Write the questions down on flashcards. By shuffling the flashcards, you will become comfortable
answering questions in any order.
- Record Yourself Practicing.
If you have a webcam, video camera or tape recorder, record your responses and play them back.
Assess your body language (if you have a video camera) and your answers to the questions. How is
your posture and eye contact? Are you fidgeting? Are your answers too long-winded? Do you sound
confident? If you do not have a video camera or tape recorder, practice in front of the mirror.
- Recruit a Friend or Family Member.
You can also give a list of questions to a friend or family member and have them interview you.
- Ask your practice interviewer for constructive feedback.
Practicing with a friend or family member will provide you with a comfortable, safe environment for
honing your interviewing skills and receiving feedback.
- Dress the Part.
One way to make a do-it-yourself practice interview seem more like an actual job interview is to dress
in interview attire. Not only will dressing the part make you feel like you are heading to a real job
interview, it will also give you the opportunity to make sure that your interview clothes are in order and
youre ready to go.
Universidad Tecnolgica Santa Catarina
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Here are the answers to a lot of frequent questions, regarding job interviews:
What should I wear to my interview?
Employers expect job candidates to dress nicely for interviews. What you wear and how you style
your hair sends a message to the employer. So, it is good to dress conservatively for your interview.
But it is also good to fit into the companys culture and what they wear at work. So if you are confused
about what to wear, you can use these lists adapted from How to Get a Job and Keep It(2007):
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Women
Men
If you do not have these types of clothes, check with your local employment agency to see if there is
a community service that provides dress clothes for interviews. Many community closets have suits
you can have or borrow for interviews.
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No flashy jewelry
No strappy shoes, sandals, or towering heels
No big hair or elaborate styles
No hosiery runs or designer stockings
No sagging coat lining or saggy pants
No five oclock shadows (be cleanly shaved, and if you
have a beard or other facial hair, make sure its neatly
trimmed)
Men
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Conclusion
A lot was learned during this session: conjunctions, vocabulary, and job interviews. Using these topics
well will definitely help you in your professional life.
It is vital to know how to reflect a good personality and to give the right message to the interviewer.
Apply what was learned and feel free to reflect the whole picture about whom you are and what you
have to offer to others.
Glossary
Ahead. To or toward the place where someone is going.
Applicant. Someone who formally asks for something (such as a job or admission to a college),
someone who applies for something.
Coordinate. Equal in rank, quality, or significance.
Conjunctions. A word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.
Hire. To give work or a job to (someone) in exchange for wages or a salary.
Manners. The way that a person normally behaves especially while with other people
Mindful. Aware of something that may be important.
Regarding. Relating to (something).
Skirted. A piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist down.
Stock. A share of the value of a company, which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment.
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References
Fuchs, M. (2009). Longman Focus on Grammar 3 - 3rd Edition An Integrated Skill Approach. United
States: Pearson Longman
Kennedy, Joyce Lain. (2000). Job Interviews for Dummies. 2nd Ed. New York: Hungry Minds. Print.
Mc Carthy, M. (2008). Touchstone 2 Full Contact. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Murphy, R. (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Richards. J. (2012). Interchange Level 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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