The New Year is upon us and for some so is the hope for a new job or career.  The first step of any job search is to make that perfect resume, but if you are applying for a job in an English speaking country how should that resume look?  To help with the daunting task of writing a resume here are a few tips to help you get started.
 
           
Contact Information
     The first line of your resume is your name centered at the top followed by your contact information.  If your name is especially long or difficult to pronounce include a nick name for yourself as well, for example "Jesus Juan Alejandro de Souza de la Cruz" or "Alex de la Cruz".  Do not include your age, weight, marital status, sexual orientation or a photo of yourself.  Also write your name in a larger font than the rest of your resume, you want to make it stand out.  For example:
 
Alex de la Cruz
(604)555-9876
E-mail: juanalex@hotmail.com
 
Education
    Next you will want to list your education, starting with the most recent.  Include the name of your college or university followed by your degree, major and graduation date.  If you have not yet completed your degree you can list the graduation date as when you expect to graduate.  Also include here any special programs or courses you may have taken.  For example:
 
University of British Columbia
Bachelors of Arts
Majored in English Literature
Graduated June of 2008
 
King George International College
Certificate in the English Language Studies Program
Graduated September of 2005
 
Experience
    After listing your education you will want to highlight your experience.  Start with your most recent job.  If you have had many jobs, list the ones that are most directly related to the position you are applying for.  Also include any volunteer work or internships that you may have done.  These also count for experience.  Include the company name, where it was and what your position was.  Follow this with a few bullet points that outline your responsibilities and duties at the job.  Use power words to make it sound stronger.  Here is an example of how the experience section should look.
 
Happy Times Restaurant
Server (2006-2008)

  
Special Skills and Interests
    In this section you can highlight the strong points of your personality, special skills you have (languages, computers).  You can also include your hobbies or interests, but only include ones that are interesting.  "Enjoy reading" is boring, but "Rock Climbing enthusiast" is interesting. 
 
Power Words
    Power words are words that make your skills and job description sound stronger and allow you to make your resume more concise.  Saying, "I was responsible for managing employees needs" sounds more powerful if written "Managed employees needs." Some useful power words are:

Achieved, acquired, addressed, analyzed, centralized, coordinated, created, demonstrated, designed, eliminated, enforced, implemented, improved, maintained, managed, organized, oversaw, performed, reorganized, reviewed, selected, supervised, surveyed, trained.
 
 
    Most importantly, have a native English speaker proof read the resume for you. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes at all costs!  To learn more about resume writing, interviewing and job preparation consider taking one of the several workshops offered at KGIBC.

 

If you ask an average Asian girl, she'd say that Turkish guys are hot.  That's maybe the only thing we know about them. Do you want to learn a bit more? So, meet Gokhan Sert, who is doing a Business Management Diploma Program (BMDP) in KGIBC. 

            He came to Canada four months ago, but this is not his first time abroad. Having studied economics in Turkey for three years, he went to the USA to continue his education. Gokhan lived there for two years, then he came back to his country to graduate from the best university in Turkey - Istanbul University. "It's very hard to find a job in Turkey because of the competition, but if you graduate from my university, all doors are open for you."

            However, Gokhan doesn't dream about working for Uncle Sam: "I want to start my own business". That's why he chose BMDP, where he can learn everything about business. I wondered why he chose KGIBC, and it appeared that Gokhan did lots of research before choosing it; "This college is just perfect for me, because the program it offers isn't too long (twelve months) and it also has co-op. I can't wait to start working in a Canadian company, it must be so cool." 

            While we were sitting in the lobby of Hyatt hotel, I took a close look at Gokhan. The first thing that I noticed was his big eyes, like the ones of a Persian cat. On the surface he doesn't look like a future businessman: a casual shirt, dark jeans and white sneakers. But as soon as you start talking with him, you understand that the person in front of you is very confident, tough and ambitious. But these qualities aren't enough to be successful.

            So, I asked Gokhan what business skills the program offers: "First of all, you can really improve your oral skills, as we do lots of presentations. Don't be surprised, but the books are also useful, they give important information on Canadian and international economic system. The most important thing, he thinks, is that his group mates are from different countries and they can share their knowledge with each other. "Before I knew about business only in Turkey. Now I know how it goes in other countries."

            These are not the only things Gokhan likes about BMDP. Can you guess what impressed him most? His teachers. "They are so easy going and professional at the same time. It might seem impossible, but we don't see them as teachers. They are our friends who are always ready to help." Thanks to them, Gokhan and his group have already gone on two fieldtrips: PortMetro Vancouver and a jobfair. "Fieldtrips are always exciting, because you have a chance to see from the inside how a business works in Canada."

            During our conversation Gokhan mentioned several times that he's very willing to work. I wondered why he's so obsessed with the idea. "The younger you start working, the better it is. When you are young, you have more power, motivation and speed." He actually has a part time job which takes half of his free time. That's why in the weekdays he's very busy either with his home assignments or work. But on the weekends he likes to relax - to go to movies or a park, to chill or go sightseeing with his friends. "After all, life isn't only about working, business and money. It's also about enjoying the people around you. That's what makes me really happy." 

 

 

 

        Hello my name is Iskia and I graduated from KGIC in June 2008, now I'm in Mexico and I really miss KGIC because it was the best experience I ever had.
     I enjoyed everything at KGIC, not so much at the beginning because I didn't speak English at all.  After 3 months I could understand a little bit more, but after 5 months I couldn't stop talking and that's when I started to talk to everybody at school.  I talked so much that the staff and teachers wanted me to be quiet, but I just couldn't stop talking.  I loved to speak in English and it was better with native speakers, because they would correct my mistakes.
    What I miss the most about KGIC is the staff because they were the one's who helped me when I needed it most.  They made me smile when the only thing I wanted was to cry.  I really want to thank them for everything they did for me.
    For all the current students at KGIC ''ENJOY YOUR TIME THERE, BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO PASS REALLY FAST'' ''DON'T SPEAK YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE OR I WILL GIVE YOU A RED CARD'', don't regret anything and enjoy life at KGIC because it is the best.
 

     My name is Roy, and I'd like to introduce to you a great new program at KGIC for anyone interested in writing, journalism or publishing.  About a year ago, KGIC began preparations for a new, advanced reading and writing course designed to bring students written English to the next level.  This course is called "Power Writing for Journalism and Publishing", or "PJP" for short.  When I was asked to teach PJP, I leapt at the chance.  I'm pretty sure they offered it to me either because of my very thick hair, or because I'm so handsome.  OK, seriously though, I love teaching reading and writing, and so far I have had a blast teaching this new course. 

     PJP is a "Power Writing" course, although it is specifically "Power Writing for Journalism and Publishing."  Therefore, the curriculum includes an introduction to the worlds of Journalism and Publishing.  Students learn to write articles, interviews, 'blogs, captions, by-lines, even stories and editorials; in other words, real-world, functional English tailored to specific audiences.  Not to mention, each week students write seven essays!  Just kidding.  Each student receives a ton of personal feedback, as well as participating in a huge group project designed to showcase the many skills they will have learned.  Furthermore, everyone takes part in a number of writing workshops designed to teach, practice or enhance specific skills and broaden his or her writing tool-set.  Those are just a few examples of the awesome things we do. 

    You will be able to see examples of the work done in PJP through the Alumni Society's newsletter's PJP Corner.  Every month we will feature a PJP article written by PJP students.   For those interested in careers in journalism or publishing this is a great way to build your resume and portfolio.  Click here to check out this month's article now!!