careerseek 13th edition
DESCRIPTION
Your guide to a great career. Inside this Issue: How to study while you work / The future of wearable tech / twitter etiquette / A passion for uplifting animalsTRANSCRIPT
Nov/Dec 2013
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Your guide to a great career
13th Edition
THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE
TECHNOLOGY: SMALLER, CHEAPER,
FASTER & TRULY PERSONAL COMPUTING
HOW TO STUDYWHILE YOU WORK
IN THE CAREER ZONE
A PASSION FOR UPLIFTING ANIMALSTWITTER ETIQUETTE
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved. 3CareerSeek
Welcome
Here’s what you have to look forward to: CareerSeek 14th Edition “A Fresh Start”
email us with your suggestions or your story.
Next year’s worries. Sound familiar?
As the holiday season approaches, our minds tend to take an early vacation, leaving our unproductive bodies behind.
The first quarter of the year is the busiest time for recruiters which means if you had any hopes of snatching up a good job opportunity in the New Year, now is the time to prepare. By updating your online CV, making it searchable online and setting up job alerts, you will ensure that you are the first to know about that great opportunity and ready to take action.
In this edition of CareerSeek, our focus lies very much on CV creation, as we explore many do’s and don’t for putting together a great CV. As always we have also thrown in a few articles to keep your bodies and minds in productive mode.
The CareerJunction Team
13th Edition: A Step Ahead of The Rest
We wish you a festive and relaxing holiday!
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
CONTENTS
4 CareerSeek
what’s inside...Is your qualification accredited, recognised and exportable?
Salary spy Keywords & buzzwords in your CV
Infographic: Acing the interview
Considering a career change? Steer for marketing
Q&A with career coach Kerry Dawkins
Healthy cooking: The South African way
Don’t sell yourself short on your CV
5 Things you should leave off your resume
Movie night
How not to apply for a job
Career guidance helps youngsters make the right choices
Career corner
featured articles
10
12
14
18
20
24
26
28
30
32
35
42
A passion for uplifting anim
als In The Career Zone
6
Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
How
to study while you w
ork
22
Twitter etiquette
36
5CareerSeek
DISCLAIMER
All information provided in our online magazine is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract between CareerJunction nor its parent company Times Media Group and any person or entity unless otherwise specified. Information, pricing and conditions in CareerSeek online magazine are subject to change without prior notice.
Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained within this online magazine is accurate and up to date, neither our online magazine nor its parent company Times Media Group is to be held liable for inaccuracies in information, prices and conditions products and services being advertised in this magazine.
The information in this online magazine is subject to human error in the input of data concerning our products and services and as such cannot be used as a valid source of information. If there is any doubt concerning the accuracy of the information contained within this online magazine, please contact [email protected] so a representative can help you.
If you notice an inaccuracy, please contact us on [email protected] and we will update the online magazine as quickly as possible.
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Search for @Career_Junction to find and follow our tweets.
Gift ideas for couples
8
The future of wearable
technology: smaller, cheaper,
faster & truly personal com
puting
04
6 CareerSeek
In The CareerZone
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
IF YOU COULDN’T DO THIS JOB, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
It has really never occurred to me to do anything else! I will always find a way to stay involved in animal welfare — I’ve been with the NSPCA for 35 years. It is in my blood now.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?
We all have unrealistic childhood dreams; mine was to be a singer. I still enjoy a good sing-a-long, but my voice is better used for speaking out for animals.
TELL ME ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO.
My responsibility is to inspire my team to embrace the challenges they face each day and to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible in achieving our mission — to prevent cruelty to, and promote the welfare of, all animal species.
I do try to get involved in as much of the practical work as I can and attend many meetings and training with the animal inspectors. I need to be competent and willing to do whatever I ask of others. At the same time though I try to take a back seat to propel other members of the organisation forward. I need to know that the NSPCA will continue to grow and that other members of our organisation can take over. It is my responsibility to ensure that there won’t be a void one day.
WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING BACK FOR MORE EACH DAY?
Working in animal welfare is not a job or a casual choice. It is a calling and a passion that drives you forward in the knowledge that you need to make a difference — that the lives of animals must be uplifted.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB IF YOU COULD?
It would be wonderful to have unrestricted funding so that we could employ more staff and purchase additional vehicles to bring relief to more animals.
Marcelle Meredith, the executive director of the National Council of SPCA (NSPCA), spends her working hours ensuring that it is able to fulfil its mandate to prevent cruelty to all animals. She tells Margaret Harris that she misses spending more time in the field working with animal inspectors.
A PASSION FOR Author: Margaret Harris Source: BD Live Link: Junction
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WHAT WOULD PEOPLE FIND SURPRISING ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?
The position I hold demands that I am mainly office-bound and manage the affairs of the organisation. There is, however, nothing that fulfils me more than being out in the field working side by side with inspectors, whether on sterilisation outreach programmes, assisting animals in disaster situations or during training sessions. I get into the trenches as often as my responsibilities will allow.
YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY AN ANIMAL LOVER; WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PET AND WHAT PETS DO YOU HAVE NOW?
I have always had a special place in my heart for dogs. My first dog was a black-and-tan dachshund named Tiny, and I now have my two canine girls — Petal, a cross-mastiff who was nearly killed for stealing a chicken, and Taylor, another dachshund who was dumped at the SPCA. They are an integral part of my family.
WHAT DID YOU STUDY AND HOW DOES IT HELP YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
I joined animal welfare in my early 20s. The training and expertise I have gained along the way have come as I moved through the ranks of the SPCA and from the many mentors who have inspired me over the years.
WHAT CAN WE AS INDIVIDUALS DO TO HELP THE NSPCA DO ITS WORK?
Disease prevention, social development, poverty and hunger reduction are top of mind for many South Africans,
but little thought is given to the strong correlation between these issues and protecting the welfare of animals and how the two are inextricably linked.
Financial support is essential as we aren’t funded by government at all, and in terms of funding very few businesses see the link that exists between community development, human health and animal welfare, and fewer still make funding available for such activities.
Of course, we are only able to operate within our budgetary limitations.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF YOUR JOB?
Abject cruelty wounds the soul; the images of pain and suffering never leave you. Farmed animals, in particular, are often seen as a commodity. The notion is essentially that they are a food source, so there is no reason to care about their welfare. This can all be difficult. There is often little exposure given to how these animals are treated, but we try to work with government departments and industry as much as possible to mitigate against, or eradicate, the suffering these animals endure.
For example, the pre-stunning of larger animals before slaughter, decreasing the length of transport time to the abattoir and more acceptable living conditions.
Also, keeping wild animals in captivity is unacceptable.
The fact that people use animals for their own entertainment and effectively abuse them in the process by limiting their ability to express their natural behaviour cannot be condoned. Furthermore, this teaches children to behave in the same manner and is not something we can accept lightly.
WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED AND WHO GAVE IT TO YOU?
The best advice came from a past chairman of the NSPCA, who told me that there was nothing that could not be accomplished if you followed your vision with commitment, courage and a good blueprint.
However, my advice is never to compromise your principles and always to be truthful.
Comment on this article.
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Featured Career
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Gift ideas for couples
Instead of gifting yourself with a heap of debt this festive season, spend less by buying one (unisex) present for all the couples in your family.
Author: Conti Coffee Source: All4Women Link: www.all4women.co.za
FIRST PUBLISHED ON ALL4WOMEN.CO.ZA
Featured Career
9CareerSeekCopyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
The silly season is about to hit us, and let’s face it – unless it’s done on credit, none of us can really afford to buy presents for all the uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and extended in-law family.
You can spend less, but still give – by buying one (unisex) present for each of the couples in your family.
Here are some ideas:
Give memories
This might be stating the obvious, but everyone only has the photos of an event or holiday which they took – their memories. What they don’t have is your memories of them during this event, so put together a photo album of special moments and put it in a pretty box with a bow, before handing it over.
Hobby gift basket
Many couples have a shared hobby, so put together a basket of items that relate to the hobby. Perhaps they like to garden. In that case, put seedlings and small gardening tools in a basket.
Or perhaps they fancy themselves wine connoisseurs. Then get them a good bottle of red and white wine each, and perhaps a nice set of glasses.
For a foodie couple, you could choose a cookbook centred around a theme, like bread baking, and add the basic ingredients that go with most recipes.
Whatever their hobby or interest, you should be able to very easily put together two or three items.
Make it something to remember
Think his and hers spa vouchers, tickets to a concert or show they want to go to, or sign them up for salsa classes (this one only if they’ve expressed interest in it!). Make it even more memorable by gifting a disposable camera as well to capture the experience with.
With this idea, the possibilities are endless! You can give parents a voucher for an hour’s babysitting.
A beloved aunt or uncle can get an evening of your time, during which you treat them to a home-made meal.
Grandparents can get pamper time or shopping done for them.
Bulk up this gift with small tokens of your love for the recipients, like chocolates or flowers.
Early-morning wake-ups
Appliances aren’t a favourite gift with most people, but the one appliance that will be appreciated (provided the receivers are coffee lovers) is a coffee machine.
The model you go for will depend on your budget, but smaller machines, like Jura coffee machines, are reasonably priced. Get a sachet of good coffee to start the couple off with.
A tin of home-made cookies
Source an easy Christmas cookie recipe from the Internet, then bake a couple of batches to gift to loved ones. To make it special, put the cookies in a beautiful tin that can be reused. Vintage tins are gorgeous and will be appreciated as much as the treats within.
Giving someone an experience instead of something tangible can often be much more memorable.
10 CareerSeek Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
SO YOU HAVE STUDIED FOR YEARS TO OBTAIN A CREDITABLE QUALIFICATION IN YOUR CHOSEN PROFESSION AND ARE CONSIDERING WORKING OVERSEAS.
IS YOUR QUALIFICATION ACCREDITED, RECOGNISED AND EXPORTABLE?
Source: All4Women Link: www.all4women.co.za
IS YOUR HARD-EARNED QUALIFICATION INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED? WHAT IS THE ‘ACCREDITATION’ AND ‘RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS’ REALLY ABOUT?
Qualifications must comply with international standards
Gloria Castrillón, Executive Manager: Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs of Milpark Business School, says that although most countries respect the academic freedom of higher education institutions - including their right to develop and deliver their own, unique qualifications - countries also require that qualifications comply with certain minimum standards to guarantee their quality through a process called accreditation.
Council on Higher Education’s Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC)
“In South Africa, all higher education programmes must be quality assured by the Council on Higher Education’s Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC). Once the HEQC has approved a programme, it is registered as such by the Department of Higher Education and Training and is also listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) which is administered by the South African Qualifications Authority - known to most of us as SAQA.”
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a 10-level framework in terms of which all higher education (HE) qualifications are constructed and ‘mapped’.
“In other countries where an NQF is in place (for example, in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and most Scandinavian countries), the authorities will assess a South African qualification on the NQF against a qualification on their own NQF and determine whether they are equivalent or not. In this way, qualifications registered on the SA NQF are portable (from country to country) and transferable (from institution to institution),” says Castrillón
United States does not have an NQF
“In countries that do not have an NQF, the process is similar, although it may be more complex. This is the case in the United States, which does not have an NQF, but does have equivalent authorities in place in the various states or groups of states to determine whether a qualification from outside the US is similar to those inside the US.”
When studying, make sure your qualifications are registered
Castrillón says that it is essential that all students in South Africa insist on HEQC accredited higher education programmes that are registered on the NQF. “In this way, if you wish to move to another country, you will be able to approach SAQA for assistance in obtaining recognition for your qualification in that country.”
FIRST PUBLISHED ON ALL4WOMEN.CO.ZA
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Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
it’s time to check out what you’re worth on the job market!
* The findings are based on salary information gathered from job ads posted on CareerJunction during the last quarter of 2012 and first quarter 2013.
Learn even more about your industry.Download the CJI monthly Executive Summary
salary spy
Have a look at some salary indicators for the top 10 industry sectors in this year’s Salary Review by the CareerJunction Index.
www.cji.co.za
engineering
building & construction
mining
information technology
telecommunication finance
sales
marketing
admin, office & support
manufacturing & assembly
13CareerSeek
Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
it’s time to check out what you’re worth on the job market!
Featured CareerSource: Imgur Link: www.JobCluster.com
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Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Featured Career
18 CareerSeek Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Marketing is a challenging, yet extremely rewarding industry for forward-thinking and fun-loving individuals who are innovative and resourceful.
It is an exhilarating field in which to work, where innovation and resourcefulness are key.
Marketing has undeniably become the most fundamental part of any business’ success, and behind all the world’s market leaders are dynamic teams of highly skilled, creative, and articulate marketing professionals.
As the Marketing Director of one of South Africa’s leading online education company, GetSmarter, Robyn Allan is passionate about the growing relevance of the field:
“At the close of 2013, it is vitally important for every business to ensure they market their brand in a dynamic and exciting way, no matter the size or industry. Successful marketing requires a unique and well thought-out strategy, developed specifically for a brand.
As an individual, a solid foundation in the principles of marketing has never before been so relevant. A strong team of marketers is, and will continue to be, an invaluable asset to any company.”
Career veer As an increasing number of businesses across the globe recognise the value in hiring professional marketing specialists, it is vital to gain a sound theoretical grounding in marketing to maintain the competitive edge to further your career.
Re-focussing your career towards marketing is an extremely viable option since the advent of part-time internationally recognised online learning courses in South Africa.
The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with GetSmarter, is now offering the Postgraduate Diploma in Management, specialising in Marketing as a two-year, part-time online programme. The programme is a pilot online mode programme, as part of UCT’s Across Africa initiative.
Steer for MarketingConsidering a career change?
Source: All4Women Link: www.all4women.co.za FIRST PUBLISHED ON ALL4WOMEN.CO.ZA
Featured Career
19CareerSeekCopyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Demand is upThe marketing industry is thriving, as it becomes increasingly important for brands to efficiently connect with their target market for greater personalisation, relevancy, and improved customer experiences.
The field of marketing is presenting even more exciting opportunities for professionalsWhile other industries have suffered greatly from economic downturn, it seems that the field of marketing is presenting even more exciting opportunities for professionals.
According to Zenith Optimedia Global Adspend Forecast in 2012, global expenditure in the advertising industry grew significantly, and continues to boom in 2013.
Locally, the 2012-2013 Job Opportunities and Unemployment survey found that advertising and marketing managers had the fifth highest number of vacancies in the managerial occupational group.
Foundations first, specialise afterMarketing is a multidimensional industry, where new specialisations are ever evolving. A ‘marketing professional’ is a loose term in today’s world, as marketing departments in large companies consist of several subdivisions.
A career in marketing can take you in several directions, and specialisation within the industry may often happen organically. All areas of marketing share the same function, however: to create, manage, and enhance a brand – a process that transpires through a number of different channels.Content Marketing, Market research, Technical Marketing, Brand Management and Public Relations are a few of the exciting specialisations that have developed within the broader marketing field over the past few years.
Although each line of marketing requires slightly different skills, a solid grounding in the principles of marketing is essential before delving into one of these more specialised areas. An array of brandsLooking for a job in the field offers a number of choices, as every brand needs marketers. Whether you choose to work for an individual company on a single brand, or at a large advertising agency on several brands, working in the field of marketing allows you to apply your skills to a variety of subject matter.
Working on various brands throughout your career offers new challenges, new learning, and new prospects for success, allowing for more variety and room for creativity than most other industries.
Featured Career
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Kerry is the founder of Potential At Work, a consultancy specialising in engagement and development solutions.
As part of her role in the business, she has created and implemented a mentoring system that, on an ongoing basis, provides support and guidance to young South Africans. Current mentees include graduates as they enter the workforce in large South African corporates, key talent as they move upwards in a corporate, employment equity candidates and the benefactors of Foundations including the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Shanduka Foundation.
You can follow her on Junction, Facebook – Kerry Dawkins- Patwork and on Twitter @KerryDawkins.
Q&Awith Kerry Dawkins
Things you need to do to succeed at work
The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘ambition’ as a strong desire to do or achieve something. While most people are content with their nine-to-five lives, there are a handful of go-getters who are intrinsically driven to achieve more. When this need is not met, frustration sinks in – and that can affect many other areas of your life.
If you are ‘aspiring-to-achieve’ and feel that opportunities are passing you by, fear not. We have compiled a list of Top 10 tips on how to move up the ladder of success, whatever your career.
#1 Know and apply your strengthsA general belief is that you should evaluate your skills and natural attributes and zoom in on your weaknesses, trying to overcome or minimise them. If, for example, you rate 4/10 for organisational skills, then you actively work on improving them. Our point of view is the exact opposite: instead of trying to take your 4/10 to a 7, focus on your strengths, the qualities that already rate high, and aim to make them a 10/10. This way you won’t be an average all-rounder, but rather an expert in specific areas.
#2 NetworkNetworking is a deliberate interaction with other individuals to exchange information and cultivate professional and/or social connections that can be mutually beneficial. In the new world of work, where the pace of business is relentless, it’s no longer good enough to be an average person, doing average work. As marketing guru Seth Godin explains, there’s always going to be someone else out there doing the exact same thing as you, but cheaper. So to keep yourself employed and employable, join networking groups and local business clubs. Done correctly, networking is probably one of your most powerful tools and it can open many doors for you.
#3 Improve relevant and necessary education/qualifications/skillsIf your prospective position requires you to further your education, do so. This can be in the form of a degree, a short course or a workshop. Taking initiative and furthering your skill sets not only shows that you are keen to
learn, but gives your Managers the satisfaction that you will not become stagnant and will consistently strive to better the company. It is, however, important to do proper research before committing, to avoid wasting time on irrelevant courses, and make every effort to implement your new knowledge when the course is over.
#4 Instant communicationMany people attribute up to 80% of their business success to immediate communication. As almost everything nowadays is online, it’s even easier to make a good impression. When you receive an enquiry via e-mail, take five minutes and reply immediately, even if it is just to say that you have received the enquiry and will be able to look into it soon. Providing the recipient with specifics, for instance “I will know by Friday” or “The person handling this is on leave and will be back on the 18th of November” not only gives them peace of mind but instantly builds a level of trust. If you are this efficient with responding, they are more likely to think that your business is too. Needless to say, the follow-through is equally important.
#5 Be an initiator, not only an executerNot everyone is born with the gift of great ideas… or even just ideas! But being watchful for ways to improve current systems, enhance performance or productivity and simplify work will go a long way.
#6 Become a resource and do the things no one else wants toThere’s always something that no one wants to do – that dreaded activity that is necessary, but not specific to a person or job description. But these apparently meaningless tasks can be ways to educate yourself about other aspects of the job or the company. This insight will give you a better understanding of how things fit together and could make you a better leader or manager when the time comes. No job is too big or small.
#7 Prioritise and be productiveIn an office environment there will always be distractions, whether it’s telephone calls, e-mails, rowdy colleagues or simply having to leave your desk so that the cleaning staff
I’ve been reading various columns and blogs about career success for a while, and all of them say that the key lies in acquiring new knowledge and skills. But I’m so busy just trying to deal with my current job. How am I supposed to find time to take on something new?
How To Move Up In Your Career
Featured Career
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can do their job. To remain productive, make a to-do list and prioritise your tasks for the day or week. Stick to your time schedule. You might not think so but your productivity won’t go unnoticed and might just give you that edge for the promotion.
#8 Be respectfulWhether or not you agree with the way the company is run, always be respectful of the person in charge, the job and other employees. Conduct yourself in a professional manner: no jokes about management, bad-mouthing other employees or complaining about work to colleagues. The simplest way to earn respect is to be respectful of others.
#9 Show commitment and dedicationGet to work 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late. Going the extra mile even, when it is not asked or required, speaks volumes of your work ethic and dedication.
#10 Dress the partYour attire should be professional, complying with company policy. The way you dress is an extension of way you perceive your career. Dressing well will also give you a little more confidence.
In his Sunscreen song, Baz Luhrmann says, “Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that
worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.” So stop
worrying about not getting that breakthrough and start applying
yourself in the right way.
Featured Career
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STUDY WHILE YOU WORK
Source: BD Live Link: www.bdlive.com
Featured Career
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COMBINING STUDYING WITH WORK IS NOT EASY, BUT IT CAN BE DONE. ALONG WITH FINDING THE TIME TO GET ALL YOUR WORK AND STUDY ASSIGNMENTS DONE, FINANCING YOUR COURSE CAN BE A BIG OBSTACLE.
WARREN HERO, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AT EDULOAN, SAYS THAT, DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES OF STUDYING WHILE YOU WORK, THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TOO: “YOU ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE AND ARE UNLIKELY TO QUIT YOUR STUDIES DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. IT OPENS UP PROMOTIONAL POSSIBILITIES AS YOU LEARN NEW AND DIFFERENT THINGS AND YOU BECOME MORE MARKETABLE IN THE WORKING WORLD.”
STUDYING FURTHER CAN “HELP YOU TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES, AND PERHAPS COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S PROBLEMS – SO YOU BECOME AN ASSET TO SOUTH AFRICA AND A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ECONOMY”.
HERO HAS THIS ADVICE ON FUNDING YOUR STUDIES – AND ON HOW TO STUDY WHILE YOU WORK:
YOU NEED TO HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY EMPLOYED FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS BEFORE APPLYING FOR FUNDING;
MOST FINANCIAL PROVIDERS WILL HAVE A MINIMUM CREDIT REQUIREMENT THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO MEET BEFORE BEING CONSIDERED;
DEPENDING ON THE INSTITUTION, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO STUDY PARTICULAR COURSES. HERO SAYS EDULOAN PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL FINANCE FOR ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION IN ALL AREAS OF STUDY, FROM UNIVERSITIES TO FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGES TO SCHOOLS;
SOME LENDING INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS BANKS, REQUIRE STUDENTS TO HAVE MARKS WITHIN A PARTICULAR RANGE FOR THEM TO GET AND KEEP FUNDING; AND
WHEN WORKING AND STUDYING, BOTH AREAS ARE IMPORTANT AND REQUIRE CONSTANT ATTENTION. IGNORING EITHER IS RISKY. ONCE YOU FIND A ROUTINE THAT WORKS, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SACRIFICING HERE AND THERE, YOU WILL BE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO MAKING IT WORK. ALSO, ONE MUST LOOK AT THE ADVANTAGES THAT WORKING WHILE STUDYING BRINGS – YOU GAIN EXPERIENCE, WHICH CAN AID IN UNDERSTANDING THE COURSE CONTENT AND PERHAPS CREATE NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
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Featured Career
HEALTHY COOKING THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAY
Check out some delicious recipes, they are healthy, affordable and easy to make!
Source: Cooking From the Heart Link: www.cookingfromtheheart.co.za
Buttermilk Marinated ChopsSouth Africa loves to braai. Try this buttermilk marinade, instead of a shop-bought marinade.
1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
juice and grated rind of 1 lemon
½ cup (125 ml) buttermilk
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) dried parsley or 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
6 x 160 g pork chops, all fat removed
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl.
Place pork chops in a shallow dish and pour marinade lover.
Stir through to coat chops with marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Braai chops over medium coals for 5-8 minutes on each side or until cooked to your preference.
Serve with Oven-baked chips and a salad.
Pharma Dynamics is SA’s leading generic supplier of cardiovascular medicines and has significantly increased the accessibility of many life-changing medicines to hundreds of thousands by making them more affordable. The reality, however, is that South Africa is facing a major health crisis with rates of heart disease reaching epidemic levels. In an attempt to proactively address the problem, Pharma Dynamics has partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA to bring Cooking from the heart to life. This recipe book is a heart-friendly, multi-cultural, budget cookbook by South Africans, for South Africans.
Featured Career
25CareerSeekCopyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Baked Sticky PuddingMost baked puddings are very sweet. The combination of buttermilk and ginger makes this an interesting variation on a well-loved favourite.
Syrup
½ cup (125 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) apple juice
¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
½ tsp (2,5 ml) vanilla
essence
1 cup (250 ml) cake flour
½ cup (125 ml) sugar
½ tsp (2,5 ml) ground ginger
3 tbsp (45 ml) sunflower oil
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup (125 ml) low-fat or fat-free milk
½ cup (125 ml) buttermilk
1 tsp (5 ml) bicarbonate of soda
2 tbsp (30 ml) apricot jam
1 tbsp (15 ml) white grape vinegar
Preheat oven to 180 °C. Combine the flour, sugar and ginger in a large mixing bowl.
Mix oil, eggs, milk and buttermilk and stir in the bicarb until dissolved.
Mix in the jam and vinegar. Gradually stir liquid into the flour mixture until a smooth batter forms, with no lumps.
Pour the batter into an oven dish and bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.
Syrup: Meanwhile place all the syrup ingredients in a small pot. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minute or until syrupy.
Prick the warm pudding with a fork and pour the warm syrup over. Allow the pudding to absorb the syrup. The pudding will sink quite a bit as it absorbs the syrup. Serve warm with fresh fruit of your choice like pears or bananas.
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Featured Career
Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Whether you’re changing jobs or looking for your first one, it’s no easy feat finding work.
School leavers, graduates and seasoned executives need to spend more time thinking about and researching their career plans long before putting together a CV or approaching people about a job.
So says Robyn Imray, partner at executive search firm Heidrick &
Author: Adele Shevel Source: Times Live Link: www.junction.co.za
On Your CVDon’t Sell Yourself Short
Struggles who says it’s important to be honest with yourself about your skills, your personality, what you enjoy and what you don’t.It’s no use aiming for a job that requires you to engage with people all day if you’re pretty anti-social and enjoy nothing more than being behind a computer.
Try to see yourself as a prospective employer would.
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Featured Career
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Graduates
Understand what the market you’re looking to go into is all about, says Imray. Research well, until you know what you want, what industry you want to be in and what is required to be a success in that role;
Find out which companies have a reputation for offering the best training. Are the companies at the leading edge and where would you gain exposure to the best global best practice?
Imray says there are pros and cons to working for one of the biggest organisations, or one of the smallest companies in the sector. Figure out which would be best for you, who is more likely to need your skills and where you can add most value;
Approach a select number of companies and make it clear why you are interested in working for them and how you can add value to them. Fit the job to the skills rather than the other way around. Make a list of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and industries need them most and find businesses that will benefit from your skills;
Be practical. You may need to accept a job at a level lower than you hoped for or not doing quite what you had hoped, but it could give you a chance to gain experience and build your network, says Imray;When interviewing graduates with no experience, companies will look to employ well-rounded individuals with the potential to grow. Your CV needs to show this, says Imray;
WikiHow, a Wikipedia-linked manual, says it’s important to network. The best companies to work for tend to rely heavily on employee referrals, so make a list of friends, relatives and acquaintances and call them to ask if they know of any openings they could recommend for you;
Volunteer for an organisation that focuses on something you’re passionate about, says WikiHow. You’ll gain experience and references;
Keep your CV down to about two pages maximum, clearly and accurately state your academic track record, provide brief details on extra-mural activities from sport through to debating, charity work and service;
Succinctly illustrate leadership qualities such as school prefect and captain of sporting teams.
Individuals with work experience
For experienced individuals, it is even more important to do rigorous research. Imray offers some tips:
Do not blanket the market with your CV as this could devalue the skills you have to offer. Rather target a select
number of companies, find out as much as possible about them and their current situation and then individualise your approach to each company. Where can you offer value? If you understand their strategy and potential issues, you could create an opportunity for yourself;
Ideally you want to position yourself so the company wants to employ you for the ideas, vision or business proposition you bring to it rather than apply for a job;
Accurately show your academic record, employment record with full company name, position(s) held and dates but don’t include a long list of responsibilities for each job. Rather keep this short and show what you’ve achieved;
Only take credit for what you did – if it was a team effort, say so. Never misrepresent;
Do not copy and paste your job description into your CV. And do not copy responsibilities from one position to another. Each role is unique – show this and how you made a difference;
Follow up your approach with a phone call to the appropriate manager, or better still, try to speak to the relevant hiring manager first. This conversation may give you additional clues as to areas you should highlight in your CV;
Make sure the CV content is appropriate. For example, if you have 25 years’ work experience, the captaincy of the under 15A hockey team is no longer the most relevant example of leadership qualities. Rather point to a succession of leadership roles throughout your life including recent leadership roles;
WikiHow advises on how to prepare for an interview. You might be asked to describe problems you’ve encountered in the past and how you handled them, or you’ll be given a hypothetical situation and asked what you would do. Some questions you might be asked are: “Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn’t like”, “Tell me about when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you unpopular”, “how would you handle an employee who’s consistently late?”
If you’ve moved around a lot, be prepared to offer a good reason for it, says WikiHow. Give specific reasons why this is the job for you and why you’d stick around;
Make a list of work-related skills you’d like to learn. Your potential employer will be interested in hearing about how you intend to become a better employee, says WikiHow.
Think about which skills will make you more competent in the position you’re applying for – be it public speaking, project management or team leading.
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1. Religious affiliationsYour church or prayer group may have played a major role in shaping who you are, but adding these to a resume makes hiring managers nervous — unless, of course, you’re applying for a job in the religious space.
Because religious affiliation is a protected class, some companies worry that if they interview you but don’t hire you, they might be sued for discrimination. Don’t run the risk of having your resume dumped in the “don’t interview” pile by including religious references.
2. Political clubsHiring managers don’t want to know you led the community anti-war protests on Wednesday evenings. Even if you know the political leanings of the person responsible for hiring, you shouldn’t include yours on your resume. Political biases are best left outside the office — unless you’re applying for a political job — and companies will appreciate not seeing your favorite campaign bumper sticker plastered all over your resume.
3. Vanity referencesIt’s great that you visit Gold’s Gym five days a week, but please leave gym memberships or other references to physical attributes off your resume. Unless you’re applying for a position as a model or personal trainer, including photos or references to your looks puts hiring managers in the awkward position of evaluating you based on physical appearance — and it may discourage them from granting you an interview.
4. Irrelevant clubsIt would’ve made sense to include your science club leadership on your first resume — if you’d been applying for an internship in a lab. But since you were applying for a sales internship, the science club was irrelevant and distracting.
When you made your first resume in college, you probably wanted to list every
group and activity you’d been associated with since high school. You were proud
of your leadership role in the science club and even more thrilled to promote your
fraternity membership.
Instead of creating a resume tailored to the position you were applying for, your first draft read like a self-congratulatory
piece. Eventually, you learned the person responsible for hiring interns was looking
for a concise summary of relevant skills and experiences — just like every other person
in charge of hiring.
Recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning a resume. That’s six seconds
to evaluate all of your professional accomplishments and make a snap
judgment on whether you’re worth a closer look. (Click here to Tweet this thought.)
But some experiences fail to impress hiring managers — and may even discourage them from interviewing you. When six
seconds are all you have, the high school chess team and the “Wizards and Muggles
Club” won’t make the cut.
Here are five things you shouldn’t include on your resume:
5 ThingsYou Should Leave Off Your Resume
Author: Matthew Gordon Source: BrazenLife Link: blog.brazencareerist.com
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Almost half of hiring managers look to see if your resume is customized for the open position, so including information that supports your qualifications for that particular job works in your favor. Before you submit your resume, ask yourself if highlighting your “Jelly of the Month Club” membership will help sell you to a potential employer.
5. Social clubsSo you were “the man” in your fraternity’s incoming class. Girls couldn’t wait to date you, and you built the biggest, baddest homecoming float your college has ever seen. Employers couldn’t care less.
Including social clubs on your resume takes up valuable real estate. Unless the person hiring you was involved in Greek life, listing a fraternity or sorority could paint an inaccurate picture of who you are.
Instead of simply listing your affiliation, focus on what you did within your fraternity or sorority that may cause
a hiring manager to open her eyes. Did you gain valuable leadership experience as president? Great. Can you provide an example of a time you used your problem-solving skills to achieve measurable results? Even better.
Hiring managers look for experiences and roles specifically related to the open position, and they want to see you’ve grown through a variety of roles and responsibilities. Before they bring you in for an interview, they want to know you have the capacity to solve problems in creative ways.
Drafting or updating your resume is an opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light and highlight your most impressive qualifications. Don’t waste it by focusing on your prom king stint or your knitting club credentials. Showcase your most valuable and pertinent skills to make sure you make it past the six-second mark.
You Should Leave Off Your Resume
WATCHINTRODUCTION
VIDEO
Matthew Gordon is President and CEO of The Gordon Group, a holding company that primarily manages GraduationSource and Avanti Systems USA. Gordon strives to foster positive corporate culture and empower young minds.
Brazen Life is a lifestyle and career blog for ambitious young professionals. Hosted by Brazen Careerist, we offer edgy and fun ideas for navigating the changing world of work. Be Brazen!
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DRAMA
THE BUTLEROne man. Seven presidents. Based on an incredible true story.The story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family.
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey , Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Leo, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams
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EPIC / BIOPIC / DRAMA
MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOMLet freedom reign.Based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, the film chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.
Cast: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Jame Bartlett, Terry Pheto, Deon Lotz
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ACTION / THRILLER / ADVENTURE
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRERemember who the enemy is.Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell)—a competition that could change Panem forever.
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland.
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97%
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DRAMA
MUDBTwo boys, Ellis, and his friend, Neckbone, find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Mud describes fantastic scenarios—he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. He says he is planning to meet and escape with the love of his life, Juniper, who is waiting for him in town. Skeptical but intrigued, Ellis and Neckbone agree to help him. It isn’t long until Mud’s visions come true and their small town is besieged by a line of bounty hunters in tow of a beautiful girl.
Cast: Matthew McConaughey , Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson, Paul Sparks, Jacob Lofland, Reese Witherspoon
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careerjunction is giving away... free movie tickets to 2 lucky winners each month. all you have to do is tell us what your favourite movie is of all time and why!
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32 CareerSeek Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
Potential employers
receive hundreds of CVs on a daily basis
– how do you ensure yours
doesn’t end up in the trash?
Angelique Robbertse, Job
Mail Product and Marketing Manager, has
put together a list of six of the most common
mistakes she sees candidates
make:
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33CareerSeekCopyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
1. APPLYING FOR JOBS YOU AREN’T QUALIFIED FOR
Most employers will have very specific requirements that candidates have to meet. If a job requires you to have five years’ experience in the hospitality industry, or a Code 10 drivers’ license, you shouldn’t apply for the position if you don’t meet the criteria.
Focus on the job that fits your existing skill set and experience.
If you have just matriculated and would like to gain experience, why not scout the job ads looking for internship in the industry you would like to work in? Many companies welcome graduates and would even be willing to make a contribution towards your travelling costs.
Many companies welcome graduates looking for internships.
2. Submitting a CV that is not up to scratch
Potential employers are put off by bad grammar, SMS-type language and poor spelling – make sure that you check your CV thoroughly before submitting it.
Pages and pages of certificates, supporting documents and referrals are not only unnecessary, but also cumbersome to read through. If the employer is interested, they will ask you for more information.
3. Applying with weak or biased references
Make sure that whoever you name as a reference will actually give you a positive review should a potential employer contact them for information.Written references rarely work – most
I cringe when applicants use that time to dictate their terms for working hours or leave, rather than ask about the job, the company and our expectations Show your passion and interest in the job and the people you will be working with.
Rephrase questions such as, “How long before I get a promotion?” by asking, “Does the company allow room for growth?”. Rather than asking, “Can I get extra leave?”, ask whether or not the company allows for flexible work schedules.
Your goal is as much to interview the company as they are interviewing you – use the opportunity to do so wisely.
6. Not looking the part
The working world is a lot more casual than it was a few years ago and most employers don’t expect you to show up for an interview in your suit and tie, but you should still look neat.
Cover up tattoos, remove piercings, and look as professional as you would like to be taken. And whilst it’s great that your mom or friends support you, they shouldn’t tag along to interviews – it makes it seem as though you aren’t quite as independent as an employer might like!
And lastly, don’t get discouraged. It’s not unusual to get rejected a few times and every interview counts as great practice for the next one.
Use your mobile phone or Internet connection to keep an eye on the job classifieds – the right job for you is just around the corner!
recruiters prefer to speak to someone in person. Never give a family member, principal, pastor or friend as a reference – the employer will see them as being biased.
A good reference is someone who was your direct superior at work – colleagues usually don’t qualify.
A good reference is someone who was your direct superior at work – colleagues usually don’t qualify.
4. Applying without investigating the company first
Google has plenty of tips and tricks to help you ace an interview and can give you all the right answers – unfortunately employers read those articles too, and are becoming a lot more discerning!
I start off all interviews with a single question: Tell me what you know about my company, and why you would like to work here?
As a potential employer, there are certain answers that you definitely do not want to hear, including, “I don’t know anything about the company”, “I applied for so many jobs that I can’t remember” or perhaps, worst of all, “My mother applied for me”.
Do your research first. Find out whether or not you will fit into the company’s culture.
5. Complaining or focusing on the perks before you even start
Most interviewers end their discussion with a question-and-answer opportunity where candidates can make enquiries about any aspects of the job they aren’t clear about.
APPLY FOR A JOBSource: All4Women Link: www.all4women.co.za FIRST PUBLISHED ON ALL4WOMEN.CO.ZA
34 CareerSeek Copyright ©1997-2013 CareerJunction, all rights reserved.
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In 2009 a group of incredible women started the SpreadLuv Movement. The organisation hosts career guidance days at schools in and around Gauteng and aim to help the youth of South Africa make informed decisions about their futures.
“We started it after meeting a group of teenagers at a care centre and realising that our young people are having an incredibly difficult time accessing information about their study and career options,” says Kgomotso Mokoena CEO of the SpreadLuv Movement. “Our goal is to provide as much career guidance information to as many learners as we can”.
Targeting mostly under-resourced schools in townships and rural areas in and around Gauteng the organisation aims to empower those that need it most.
“We are confident that by providing our learners with not only information but real-life accounts of the careers they are interested in, we are making it simpler for them to make choices,” Mokoena says.
“If our learners make informed choices the first time, they are less likely to drop out of tertiary institutions and can make effective use of existing state funding”.What makes this organisation great is that it gives young people a reason to be excited about their futures.
“They often say they are inspired because they can see it’s possible for them to live the lives they want,” Mokoena adds.
“In addition to the information we give them, they also get to meet volunteers, many of whom have similar backgrounds to the learners and are now young working professionals”.
Providing the learners with materials to take away to keep is the team’s main challenge, “We mostly need our pamphlets printed for learners,” she says, “But we would like to offer small stationary packs for learners in the future with basic materials they need at school”.
The SpreadLuv Movement is also always on the hunt for more volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 to provide insight into a field they’re studying or work in.
Find them on Facebook
Author: Unknown Source: Sowetan Live Link: www.junction.co.za
Career Guidance Helps Youngsters Make the Best Choices
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36 CareerSeek
Author: Rebecca Hiscott Source: Mashable Link: www.mashable.com
TWITTER EtiquetteForget distinguishing the salad fork from the dinner fork. Today’s lessons in etiquette are all about looking good on social media. And Twitter, as the microblogging platform of choice for more than 200 million users, is one of the most influential platforms.
Twitter is all about sharing your thoughts and interests, and if you’re lucky you will be rewarded with a host of followers who actually want to listen. But if you’re violating the unspoken rules that govern content, user interactions and posting frequency, you may be driving followers away.
SEE ALSO: This Is Why No One Follows You on Twitter
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to Twitter etiquette (or Twetiquette), so you can look your best on social media. To master the basics of Twitter, consult our “Beginner’s Guide to Twitter” first.
What else should the well-behaved Twitter user know? Tell us in the comments.
Content
Even if your Twitter account is private, the web has a sneaky way of spreading unsavory
information to the public. Treat your Twitter posts as though your parents, grandparents and bosses
were reading. Meaning, keep the profanity to a minimum, be thoughtful and respectful of other
users, and rein in your netspeak and abbreviations (“LOL” is fine — “omg jus chkd out th3 n3w
Hmeland ep its kool” is infuriating).
Consider the Golden Rule and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Share things
that would be of interest if you came across them in your own feed. Thought-provoking articles,
websites, photographs and personal insights are excellent resources. If you’re sharing an article,
video or blog post, be sure to include a shortlink to the original. Don’t spread unverified or false information — that’s how Twitter feuds begin.
37CareerSeek
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
Oversharing: There is nothing worse than a feed composed of mundane tweets like “Driving home from work now” or “Just had a grapefruit for breakfast, yum!” Steer clear of tweeting about the minutiae of your day-to-day life. Keep the details of your bodily functions and bedroom escapades to yourself as well. Remember, your mom might be reading.
Spoilers: Do you really want to be the one who ruins the Breaking Bad finale for your friends? Even though Twitter is inevitably littered with spoilers, don’t be the jerk who posts them.
Self-promotion: Twitter is a social networking tool — a certain amount of shameless self-promotion is to be expected. However, you’ll get unfollowed faster than you can say “Check out my blog” if your feed is nothing but links to your own work. Engaging with other users and sharing material that doesn’t belong to you is as integral to the experience as the self-adulation. For every link of your own that you share, balance it out with two or three posts that engage with other users or share someone else’s content.
Sales pitches: Twitter is a personal sphere, not a boardroom for business meetings and sales pitches. If you want to get in touch with someone about a business opportunity, contact him or her by email. If the email address isn’t public and she doesn’t follow you on Twitter, she’s probably not interested in whatever you’re selling.
Sharing opinions: Your followers want to know who you are and what interests you, so feel free to share your opinions, but be respectful. Don’t stir up unnecessary drama. If you’re addressing a controversial topic, consider these questions before posting:
• Do I have a constructive, well-informed opinion that would add value to this conversation?
• Are there others who are more qualified to comment on this?
• Will my opinion make a difference?
• Have I been actively working to promote or protest this issue in real life?
• Am I willing to accept the consequences of potentially upsetting friends, followers or employers?
Hashtagging: Hashtags can add voice and humor to a post or tether your tweet to a larger conversation, but don’t go overboard. A tweet composed solely of hashtags is an eyesore, and it makes you look like a spammer. Stick to three hashtags or less. (For more hashtag tips, check out “The Beginner’s Guide to the Hashtag”.)
Twitter wars: Sure, the Jimmy Kimmel/Kanye West Twitter feud was funny, but you’re not a celebrity — you can’t get away with half of what Kanye does. The person who starts a pointless Twitter war never looks good.
PWI (Posting While Intoxicated): Trust us, nobody cares how many shots you’ve imbibed, and you don’t write like Ernest Hemingway when you’re drunk.
Posting Frequency
This can be a bit subjective. Some people can tweet often and do it well; others just don’t have much to say. Save your posts for truly interesting content, and be humble enough to recognize that not every thought is worth preserving for posterity.
On the other hand, not tweeting at all, or tweeting less than once per week, will make some users think twice about following you. Stay somewhere in the area between “lurker” and “spammer.” A good rule of thumb is to aim for four to five posts per day if you’re a novice — and if you don’t feel comfortable tweeting that often, less is definitely better.
If you’re going to be live-tweeting or posting more than average for a period of time, alert your followers beforehand.
Following and Followers
You are under no obligation to follow every person who follows you. In fact, following people blindly makes you look like a robot. Who you choose to follow on Twitter makes a powerful statement about your interests and your influence, so make every follow count. Are you a breaking news junkie? Obsessed with celebrities? A major foodie? For your own sake, don’t dilute your feed with tweets that don’t interest you.
However, if one of your followers is a real-life friend or colleague, it’s a major snub if you don’t follow him back. If you really aren’t interested in what he has to say but politeness dictates you must follow him, create a private Twitter list and leave him out of it.
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Retweeting
Sometimes you’ll want to share another user’s clever tweet. That’s fine. Stealing it is not. Passing off another user’s content as your own may not be illegal, but it’s still a form of plagiarism and it will net you major bad karma.There are two ways to retweet. By clicking “Retweet” on a post you can share it, as is, with your followers. If you want to add commentary, manually retweet it. Include “RT,” the poster’s handle and his original tweet after adding your own insight. You can also use “via,” followed by the poster’s handle, if you’ve modified the content of the post, or give a H/T (hat tip) to a user who pointed you in the direction of something interesting.
SEE ALSO: Want a Retweet? Include a Photo
If you’re hoping to be retweeted, try not to use up the full 140 characters. This way, other users will be able to add a comment when they share your post.
Automation
Finally, Twitter is all about sharing your personality, so most users are averse to automatically-generated or scheduled tweets. Sending an automatic Direct Message to new followers that says something like, “Thanks for following me! Please check out my website!” is also considered spammy and in very poor taste. The Internet is extremely wary of bots (with good reason), so don’t make yourself seem like one.
What Twitter etiquette do you live by? Do you wish Twitter instituted some rules? Share your own tips in the comments below.
SEE ALSO: Mischievous Twitter Bot Tweets Just Like You
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On the flip side, don’t get angry if someone you follow doesn’t follow you back. C’est la vie.
The worst offense is the “Twitter one-night stand” - following someone and then unfollowing her the minute she follows you back. It’s an underhanded way to gain followers and it’s just plain rude. And under no circumstances should you announce when you’ve decided to unfollow someone - or publicly shame someone for unfollowing you.
Interacting
On Twitter, you get to interact with people you may never meet in real life. Don’t be shy about tweeting at people you find interesting, including celebrities, friends of friends, users who share your interests, and potential colleagues or collaborators. But don’t expect an answer every single time. Some users might not check their @Connect tab frequently, or they receive too many tweets to respond to every single one (this is especially true of celebs). If someone isn’t responding, don’t spam him.
Interact with users who reach out to you. While you’re not obligated to respond to everybody, you will seem aloof if you never respond — especially if someone asks you a direct question. And be respectful. If a user reaches out to you via DM, chances are she’s discussing something she wants to keep private, so don’t respond publicly.
A new Twitter feature lets you decide how accessible you want to be via Direct Message. You can now choose to allow any Twitter user to DM you, instead of just users you are already following. But the rules of DM interactions remain the same. Don’t spam someone just because you can.
Beware of becoming like Amanda Bynes — don’t hate-tweet.
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THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY:
SMALLER, CHEAPER, FASTER, AND TRULY PERSONAL COMPUTING
Author: David Evans Source: LinkedIn Link: www.linkedin.com
For the past few years, industry pundits have been predicting the death of the personal computer. I look at it a bit differently—the personal computer
is not dying, but is becoming even more personal. It is now something
you’re going to wear—in your clothing, jewelry, shoes, glasses, watches, and
even on your skin.
The burgeoning field of wearable technology is hitting the mainstream,
illustrated by a new ad campaign from Samsung that employs Dick Tracy, Captain Kirk, and a lineup of other
comic and science fiction characters to introduce the new Galaxy Gear smartwatch. In a recent blog, my
colleague Joseph Bradley described the wide range of “wearables” that are
now available—and sure to be a hot topic at the Internet of Things World
Forum in Barcelona next week.
I recently wrote about how wearable technology is helping drive the Internet
of Everything (IoE)—and changing the way we live—by connecting people in new and different ways. Today, I’d like to go a little deeper, and explore some
of the ways that today’s wearable technology might evolve.
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THE FUTURE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY:
SMALLER, CHEAPER, FASTER, AND TRULY PERSONAL COMPUTING
One of the principles of this evolution is that technology is getting smaller, faster, cheaper, and more powerful every day. In fact, in terms of physical size, computing technology is becoming 100 times smaller each decade. The computing power of the ENIAC computer that filled a whole room back in 1956 now fits inside the tiny chip of a “musical greeting card” that you can buy for $4 at your local store. The smartphone in your pocket is many times more powerful than the PCs of just a decade ago. And now, all the capabilities of your smartphone are being condensed into smartwatches, which can make phone calls, connect to the Internet, take pictures, and do just about anything else your phone or tablet can do.
But even this miniaturization of technology is dwarfed by the power that is available when you connect to the cloud. One really exciting example is SIGMO—a language translator that you can clip to your shirt, or wear on your wrist. It costs about $50, and when connected to the cloud can provide real-time voice translation of 25 languages. Sigmo blew past its fund-raising goal of $15,000 on the crowd-funding site Indiegogo.com to almost a quarter-million dollars, illustrating the demand for these types of gadgets.
Figure 1. Sigmo voice translator provides real-time cloud-based translation services for 25 languages, and learns as you use it.
For most people today, “wearable technology” brings to mind personal monitoring devices such as Fitbit or Nike+FuelBand that record heart rate, blood pressure, intensity of exercise, and even sleep patterns. This concept is evolving to be even more personal, and not just for the benefit of the wearer. Expectant mothers will wear electronic “tattoos”—smart sensing stickers that can monitor fetal heart rate and brain waves, detect early signs of labor, and even notify the doctor directly when it’s time to go to the hospital.
Figure 2. Smart electronic “tattoos” will enable continual fetal monitoring. Today, the data must be uploaded by going near a reader, but in the future the data will be uploaded to the cloud in real time, from anywhere.
The concept of wearables isn’t new. For millennia, people have been adorning themselves with tattoos, piercings, and jewelry that communicate something about who they are, what they do, and where they are from. Today’s wearables just sense and communicate much, much more. Further along on the wearable continuum will be “embeddables,” which may be sensors placed under the skin or swallowed. Today, the Proteus smart pill can send a text to a doctor or relative from inside the body to confirm that medication has been taken. In the future, such ingestible devices will be able to send a picture from inside the GI tract to aid diagnoses and reduce the need for surgery and other invasive procedures.
I can even imagine the day when wearables evolve into replaceables. Today, we use cornea transplants to repair damaged eyes. In the future, we may be able to insert artificial eyes with zoom capabilities, infrared sensors, and night vision. The prosthetics we use for limb replacement will become even more powerful and flexible than the original “organic” limbs.
All of these possibilities will be enabled by the Internet of Everything, providing rich and valuable connections among people, process, data, and things. And these examples are just the beginning. As technology continues to become smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, and as the number of connected things in the world grows to 50 billion in the next decade, the true possibilities may go far beyond what we can imagine today.
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