Do You Make These Career Fair Mistakes

Do You Make These Career Fair MistakesDo You Make These Career Fair MistakesThe line was so long that it could have been mistaken for Black Friday at one of Americas favorite retailers. Instead of shoppers the hallway was filled with well-dressed jobseekers nervously shifting back and forth on their feet while silently practicing their elevator pitches. At exactly 8 a.m. the doors opened and several thousand people crossed the convention center floor, well on their way to new jobs. The career ritterlich had begun.Whether youre a soon-to-be graduate or an experienced employee in need of a change, career fairs can be a valuable tool in your job search. Career fairs are an excellent way to efficiently connect with a large number of fhigkeit employers. Theyre relatively low cost, and they get you in front of companies outside your geographic area. Career fairs also may help you discover new or smaller organizations. Best of all, most companies at the fair are actively looking to hire fro m the people that they meet.Remember that career fair from the top of the article? When it was all said and done, several hundred people received offer letters. Not bad for a few hours in your fancy clothes.If you have the chance to participate in a career fair, definitely do it. Dust off your resume, pop in a breath mint and get ready to put your best foot forward. As you prepare for your next fair, you can increase your chances of getting an interview by avoiding these common mistakes1. Wearing uncomfortable shoesThis sounds like such a simple thing, but trust me it has been the downfall of many talented job seekers. For some cruel reason, career fair planners rarely schedule these events in comfy rooms with soft, squishy carpets. Instead you will find yourself walking and standing for hours on unforgiving, hard floors with few available seats. When your feet hurt, it can change your posture, your nonverbal behaviors and your demeanor, all of which can make you seem less friendly or interested to an employer. You still have to be professional, but this is leid the time to choose form over function when it comes to footwear.2. Ignoring opportunities to be included in resume books or databasesMost career fairs have a resume book or online database where job seekers can submit resumes in advance. The process can be frustrating because it may require you to reformat your resume to fit certain standards or cut and paste key areas into a database template. This extra work is definitely worth it. If you are attending a career fair that allows onsite interviews, most candidates are chosen and contacted before the event even begins. Only a small percentage of interview slots are held for extraordinary candidates that stop by the booths. It is much easier to get noticed beforehand than to be one of several hundred eager faces standing in line. Even if there are no onsite interviews, your resume can generate interest for months after the career fair. 3. Talking to tire d representatives at the end of their shiftsA few hours of shaking hands and passing resumes can make anyone a bit cranky. Now imagine that youre the recruiter with long lines of people clamoring to get your attention, each one of them earnestly trying to sell themselves. There comes a point of fatigue where even Superman would have a hard time breaking through. Make it easy on yourself and visit your top employers when the representatives are likely to be at their highest energy levels. Every company will have a schedule for its employees, but youre most likely to find fresh representatives either at the very beginning of the day or after lunch. Avoid approaching booths right before lunch or at the very end of the fair.4. Believing that youre speaking to the hiring managerYou did it You had a great conversation with the representative. You were witty, competent and confident, and the interviewer was impressed with you. As you turn to walk away (giving yourself a mental high-five), you miss the fact that the representative drops your resume into a pile with no additional notes or thoughts. In most situations, the recruiter is the gatekeeper, not the hiring manager. Your conversation is important so that your resume isnt discarded. However, after the career fair your resume, along with many others, will be dumped unceremoniously on the hiring managers desk. No part of your amazing conversation will be conveyed. If there is something that you want the hiring manager to know, research the job online, apply for it, attach a cover letter referencing your amazing conversation with the representative- whom you should mention by name- and send it to the company along with your resume.5. Grabbing table giveaways without speaking to representativesOne of the best parts about a career fair is the swag. Depending on the industries participating in the event, it is not unusual for jobseekers to walk away loaded with pens, stress balls, snacks, post-it-notes and all types o f cool product samples. While I would never deny you the joys of treasure hunting, it is considered rude to grab armfuls of stuff without speaking to the representatives. Even if you arent interested in the company, it is critical to make a good impression because recruiters talk to each other more than you imagine. For many recruiters, career fairs are mini-reunions where they touch base with former colleagues, industry peers and college friends. A moment of greed at one booth could potentially tank your chances at another.6. Making private comments about companies in public placesPrivacy is dead. Well, at least at a career fair it is. If you have something disparaging, controversial or easily misinterpreted to say, you will want to wait until you get home. Every public space is potentially filled with company representatives poised to hear compromising information. Restrooms, elevators, coffee shops, restaurants and even the booths of competitors- you would be surprised at all of the places that recruiters show up. Always assume that someone is listening, and youll never go wrong.Career fairs are an excellent choice for serious job seekers. With a little preparedness you can make significant inroads towards your career goals. So get your resume ready, pull out those comfortable shoes, and get that interview.

6 Salary Negotiation Tips for Hiring Managers

6 Salary Negotiation Tips for Hiring Managers6 Salary Negotiation Tips for Hiring ManagersYou have finally found your next great hire You pored over countless resumes, completed all the bewerbungsgesprchs, checked references and now its time for salary negotiation. You want to extend an offer that will be accepted.While the offer isnt only about the compensation package, it usually is the top concern of job seekers.Before beginning the salary negotiation, its important to have a clear understanding of both parties objectives. Your objective should be to negotiate a fair, market-based compensation package that is competitive based on the unique combination of skills that you require in this new employee, while being fiscally responsible to your company.Use our salary calculator to look up salary ranges for technology and IT jobs in your area.Your potential employees objective should also be to negotiate a fair, market-based compensation package based on their unique skills and experie nce. In the best case scenario, both parties desire the same outcome, a negotiation that results in a win-win. Here are six tipsConduct market research. Prior to your salary negotiation discussion, do your homework so your salary offer is based on actual market data. Review salaries posted on current online job postings as well as a reputable salary guide from an industry expert. This research is critical to your effectiveness and credibility in the salary negotiation process.Make adjustments if needed. Compensation in todays IT world can be dramatic. Starting salaries are changing rapidly, especially in many high demand disciplines such as mobility, cloud computing, big data, security, etc. If you find a material difference in your budgeted compensation package and what your research tells you, make adjustments if you can. Just because youve always paid $70,000 for a certain role, doesnt mean youll be able to continue to find the same level of talent at that salary. If you arent of fering competitive compensation, you may be left settling for your second or third choice for the role.Minimize surprises. Talk about compensation expectations early and often with the candidate. You want to know as soon as possible what the salary expectation is and how flexible they are when it comes to negotiating a fair starting package. Its not about negotiating in the first interview, but about understanding the candidates expectations so both parties save valuable time if the compensation gap is just too large to bridge. There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours together with both parties thinking theyve found the right fit only to have the deal fall apart at the end because you couldnt make the numbers work.Take emotion out of the equation. Negotiating can become personal and emotional. Resist the temptation to dig in your heels. Nothing can make a positive situation like extending a job offer turn south faster than an intense and frustrating conversation around starting salary. Remain calm and keep the conversation professional, while maintaining an open mind. Dont let pride or inflexibility prohibit you from getting the employee you wantMoney isnt everything. Starting compensation is always high on the list of reasons potential employees accept or decline a job offer. That said, there are many other factors to consider, especially if youre limited in the salary you can offer. Can you offer a flexible schedule, such as working four, 10-hour days with Fridays off, for example? Is telecommuting possible? Working from home can save employees valuable time and money (in commute costs). Options such as these may be just enough to tip the scales in your favor from a reluctant candidate.Never extend an offer you arent certain will be accepted. Offer acceptance should be a forgone conclusion when you get to this stage of the process. You want to be so thorough in the interview process that you are confident the candidate can do the job, wants the job and that the compensation aligns with their expectations. If you have questions or reservations, have those discussions with the prospective employee before making the formal offer.You can find salary information for more than 75 IT jobs in our Salary GuideDOWNLOAD THE SALARY GUIDEThis post has been updated to reflect more current information.

Subject Lines for Resignation Email Messages

Subject Lines for Resignation Email MessagesSubject Lines for Resignation Email MessagesWhen you resign from your job via email, its important to use a subject line that is very clear. That will help guarantee that your manager or teamberater opens your note. In an ideal world, you would send a resignation email two weeks before your planned last day with the company. But, if thats not the case, and you are givingno noticeorshort notice, its especially important that your manager opens and reads your resignation email message immediately. The right subject line ensures that your manager recognizes the importance of your email and reads it right away. landsee more information below on when its appropriate to resign over email, what to include in your note, and suggested subject lines for a resignation email. When You Need to Resign by Email If its at all possible, you shouldresign from your job in person. Try to make an appointment with your manager for a quiet, non-stressful time , and prepare what you want to say in advance. Givingtwo weeks noticebefore your departure is considered standard (and may well have been required by the terms of the employment contract you signed when you were initially hired). A timely, proactive face-to-face conversation with your boss helps leave him or her with a positive impression of you as an employee. There are, however, many reasons you mayprefer to resign via email. Even if you work remotely, its a good idea to try to speak on the phone with your manager about your resignation, but in some cases thats just not possible. There may be an uncomfortable situation at work, your supervisor may be reachable only by email, or you may need to give immediate notice. In that case, make sure your resignation email is as professional as possible. Review these email subject line examples, as well as the advice that follows on how to resign via email. Resignation Email Subject Line Examples SubjectResignation - Your NameSubjectNoti ce of Resignation - Your NameSubjectResignation Effective Immediately - Your NameSubjectResignation Date - Your NameSubjectResigning as of Date- Your NameSubjectPending Resignation - Your NameSubjectResignation Announcement - Your NameSubjectRetirement Announcement - Your Name Note that each of these examples (with the exception of the retirement email) uses the word resignation and your name. Thats intentional. With both these elements in the subject line, theres no question that your manager will miss the news - even if he or she receives hundreds of emails each day. What to Include in Your Message What you write in the body of your resignation email is important, too. Begin with aformal salutation, such as Dear Mr. Smith. Maintain a professional tone throughout, and resist the temptation to make negative comments, even if the reasons for your departure arent entirely positive. Remember that, if you have previously maintained a good rapport with your manager and your work per formance has been strong, he or she may be willing to serve as a reference for you in the future if you leave on a good note. Be sure to include your last date of work and briefly mention why you are resigning.If you have a negative reason for leaving, use a euphemism such as pursuing new opportunities. If you arent leaving immediately, its always good to offer to help with the transition, and/or to help train your replacement. To heighten the positive tone of your resignation announcement, express appreciation for the opportunity and the experience you gained while at the company, providing a few examples if possible. Use aprofessional closing, such as Sincerely, followed by your name and contact information. Remember that your email resignation will become part of your permanent record at the company. Make sure that it is polite, well-written, and free of grammatical and typographical errors. You should do what you can to make sure that all the paperwork in your HR file is profess ional and positive, from your initial application, cover letter, and resume, to your resignation letter. It is always in your best interest to leave a job on the best possible terms. You have no way of knowing when you might encounter former colleagues, or in what capacity. The last thing that you want to do is to give them reason to speak ill of you to potential or future employers. Review theseresignation dos and dontsfor tips on resigning properly. Sample Resignation Email Message Subject John Smith ResignationDear Mr. SamuelsI regret to inform you that I will be resigning effective March 15th. Ive been offered a position at White and Crown and have decided to accept. Ive enjoyed my time here, and I appreciate all that you have done for me. Without this job, I wouldnt have learned so much about management and dealing with employees.Of course, Ill be happy to help with any transition should you have a replacement hired before I leave. If you have any questions, please let me k now and thank you again for the time here. Im sure well see each other at various professional events in the future.Sincerely,John Smith555-555-5555johnsmithyouremail.com Expand More Email Resignation Message Examples When youre not sure what to write in a resignation email message, review sample email messages then tailor them to fit your personal circumstances. Or, use a farewell letter templateto help you write your own letter. Either way, conducting yourself politely and professionally will help ensure that you are remembered as an asset to the company. Read More How to Quit Your Job Gracefully Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter

What DJ Khaled can teach you about winning at life

What DJ Khaled can teach you about winning at life What DJ Khaled can teach you about winning at life When it comes to looking up to people who have succeeded in their careers, many of them have had success in not just one genre but many in order to get to where they are. DJ Khaled is a perfect example of that as he is not only a fantastic DJ and rapper, but also an entrepreneur who has built his brand from the ground. He’s also carved out a place for himself as something of a lifestyle guru:  touted as the first “Snapchat” celebrity, the Miami native and two-time Grammy nominee has developed a name for himself by endorsing positive behavior and introducing readers to “the keys”: a set of principles for life and career that are meant to help people rise above.  Along the way, he’s worked with iconic superstars including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Nas, John Legend and, this week released a single with Beyonce and Jay-Z.DJ Khaled has taken the “keys” life and turned them into a book that’s part memoir, part inspirational self-help manual. Named “The Keys,”  the book r ecounts early episodes of Khaled’s life, including sleeping in his car and hustling to carry music equipment to his own shows interspersed with current scenes from his mansion and garden in Miami, and the lessons he has drawn from the trip. The “keys” in the book are the lessons he has unlocked to becoming a self-made millionaire.Khaled’s approach is an inclusive one, rooted in a conviction that anyone can use the same tips to advancement. As he mentions. “Everything you see me do and say can be interpreted for any job, any age and any aspiration…we’re in this together, and together I truly believe we can be great.”With all of that said, here are the ten best pieces of career advice that DJ Khaled gives in “The Keys.”‘Reject the naysayers’Khaled describes the people who are considered “they” as the enemy in how you continue in life.  â€œThe person who wants to distract you from your studies or your career with their drama?   That’s a ‘they’.   That ’s a big ‘they’.”Khaled goes about the word “they” as people who he thought were originally “haters,” but go beyond that. They will get into your life, try to manipulate it and above all costs tell you that you won’t be enough. “They don’t want you to have stars on the roof of your Rolls Royce,” Khaled writes, evocatively, to show how “they” don’t want to see someone else winning at life. He recounts the “they” he knew: he was told he wouldn’t have a hip-hop album because he can’t rap, or become something after being a high school dropout, but he did. A lot of this stems from, according to him, “people who can’t elevate their own vision because they don’t want to progress in the pursuit of prosperity.Instead of being inspired to new heights, they want to drag you down to their level.” It boils down to keeping the naysayers out of your life and focusing on bettering yourself and the people around you who supported you from the beginning.â €˜We the Best’This was probably the best piece of advice that I took from reading Khaled’s book, as confidence is a huge advantage when it comes to your professional self.   It can be a tough thing to say “yes, I am the best” at something, but in his words, “you have to speak your success into existence, because absolutely no one will do it for you.”Envision something, like a dream board, and it will happen.   Khaled asked to be referred to as “Billi” because, and I quote, “I’m going to be a billionaire, so now I want you to greet me and call me Billi.   This way everything will affirm and reaffirm my vision.”  In other words, start talking and thinking of yourself as the person who has reached the goals you set: if you pay attention, it will keep you accountable, and it will keep you uplifted.‘Don’t Ever Play Yourself’Self-sabotage is real, and we are often our own worst enemies. “Don’t do anything foolish to compromise your joy and prosperity,” w arns Khaled. He relates a vivid anecdote of how he endangered his money and career: he drove repeatedly with a suspended license in Miami, where he kept getting ticket after ticket - each of which he laughed off. Finally a judge finally had enough and locked him up in jail for a night, which required bail and endless embarrassment. Sometimes, your confidence can grow so big that you forget that you aren’t untouchable, and in this case, he definitely wasn’t. He realized his hubris in not admitting when he made a mistake, and move on.The lesson: Stay away from the foolishness, pay attention to the road and and stay focused on what will truly better your career overall.‘Resilience: Weather the Storm’“Throughout one’s career, they are going to have to ride the wave in terms of highs and lows of it, especially dealing with the lows.“  Khaled discusses that the road to his success has been met with a ton of storms in the mixture of sunny days, but “to keep your head up a nd work through with your mind focused.   Life is like school, you will be tested.   The key is to pass it, and you have to do well on those tests over time in order to graduate.”The tests for Khaled in this case ranged from everything that included having to sleep in his black Honda Civic when he moved permanently to Miami to having his own electricity in home shut off to pay his studio bills.   But he has no regrets. “When I look back at my life, I wouldn’t trade any storm in my path if I had to do it all over again.   Every time I had to struggle, I learned how to avoid it the next time or how to get out of it faster.”  When it comes to weathering the storm, Khaled’s key advice is simply “always give it your best, no matter if you are up or down.   Never surrender.”‘Stay Humble’When you find yourself becoming successful in your own career, whether it is entertainment or something else, you can find that your ego can swell and you can become arrogant or cocky wi th how far along you are moving.   Khaled’s key is no matter what, to always stay humble.He doesn’t want you to mistake being humble as not confident.   He’s aware that he is the “greatest to ever do it,” but that “being humble means being grateful for your blessings and remembering everyone who helped guide you to them.”   Whether it is touring with Beyonce or being personally invited to the White House by former President Barack Obama, he claims that “I’m on a level of grateful that I can’t even properly articulate.   It’s amazing.”  It’s a very interesting way to look at being humble when all it takes is the gratitude of others to get you there.‘Respect the Code’Respect the Code simply means “treat people the way you want to be treated.”   In career mode, it makes perfect sense as you can maintain some amazing relationships that can help guide you to bigger and better things.Be honest, be up-front and be yourself, and the other person will be as well.  â€œWhen everybody respects the code and moves with a clean heart, everybody thrives.”‘Keep Two Rooms Cooking at the Same Time’When it comes to creativity, “don’t invest all your energy in one place. It’s like financial investments- spread it around.”   I love this key that Khaled discusses because it allows you to find as many rooms as possible to creating what you are hoping to achieve.   It’s all about keeping those juices flowing and understanding that your career is somewhat like a car, in that there is a ton of moving parts that need to keep it running.‘Fan Luv’Fan Luv for DJ Khaled is always about giving back to his fans and the people that helped him get to where he is now.   It’s about appreciating who is around you, and letting them know how they helped you grow. You may not have fans screaming your name, but it’s likely you have mentors, supportive peers or others who cheer for your progress.  It’s true in the entertainment world and rin gs the same for people in any sort of industry.‘Inspire the Young World’As you get older, a new generation of people are coming into the work world and are looking for someone to inspire them in some sort of way.   For Khaled, it is about breaking the “cycle” when it comes to uplifting the newer generations.  â€œYou’ve got old people mad at the new people, coming up on the Internet.   It’s always been a cycle, for hundreds of years, no matter what game you were in.   Old and new always fight when innovation changes the way things are.   This can be scary to people, but to me this just means the opportunities come faster and faster.   I love the new era.   It’s all about perspective and it’s all about looking forward, not back.”In other words, embrace the new, while still teaching your own ways on how you got there.   It will get both generations much further in this path we call “work life.”‘Don’t Deny the Heat’“What do I mean by heat?   I mean that co mbination of special magic that makes a hit.   It’s that rare energy that is unmistakable and undeniable.   No matter where it comes from, if it comes, you’d better take it.”The last and final key that I thought was worth mentioning is exactly this- if you have something that you think is really worth it in your career, run with it.   This key encompasses all of the others to really get you where you need to go.   That’s the beauty of your career- taking something you know can work, and watching it blossom.Bonus Key: ‘Secure the Bag’An important key that Khaled discusses in his book essentially is making sure that your finances are in order.  Have money before you spend it, and remember that money is not just your path to freedom, but that it can also help you invest in further growth.  Or in his words, “Sometimes when you secure the bag, then you can secure a bigger bag…it’s about having a down payment for the next investment.”Many big life decisions have a fi nancial aspect.  Always make sure you are secure so that you can take advantage of opportunities to grow, or even start something new down the line.  Then you can be, as DJ Khaled instructs, self-made.

6 Companies Offering Returnship Programs

6 Companies Offering Returnship Programs 6 Companies Offering Returnship Programs Ready to re-launch your career after taking time off? A “returnship” is like an internship for experienced workers looking to re-enter the workforce. Whether you have taken a step away from professional life to care for a parent or raise a child, a returnship is a unique opportunity to learn new skills, sharpen others and transform your career. If you are looking for a professional transformation or want to ease your way back into the work world, this one’s for you. Here are six companies offering returnships and hiring now! Details: “ The Path Forward Return to Work program at CloudFlare is an 16- week paid internship for experienced professionals returning to the workforce after taking time off for caregiving. Cloudflare started partnering with Path Forward this past year as a way to expand our talent pool to include the best and the brightest, regardless of any gaps in their career journeys.” What Field/Industry:  Engineering, People & Places (Recruiting, Facilities and HR) and Marketing teams. Where: San Francisco, CA Details: “UniversalGiving is an award-winning website allowing people to donate and volunteer with top performing vetted projects all over the world. UniversalGiving’s Returnship Program offers exciting opportunities to those wishing to make a significant impact and contribution to our global communities. Returnships are for experienced professionals returning to the workforce who desire to gain new skills, change professions, or simply yearning to give back.” What Field/Industry: NGO Services, Administration & Operations, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility teams. Where: San Francisco, CA Details:  â€œ The Goldman Sachs Returnship program helps to develop talented professionals who are looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce. This paid program offers opportunities in a variety of divisions and the chance to experience the vast network of resources at Goldman Sachs.” What Field/Industry: Investment Banking & Asset Management Where: New York, NY; Bengaluru, India; Hong Kong Details: “Increasing numbers of physicians are confronted with the problem of obtaining hospital staff privileges after extended absences from the practice of clinical medicine. The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Physician Reentry Program provides hospital credentialing committees with a convenient pathway to help reinstate physicians who have been denied privileges. The Reentry Program designs a course of participatory study that is intended to fulfill the specific needs of the reentering physician’s planned practice.” What Field/Industry: Healthcare, Medicine Where: Los Angeles, CA Details: The Real Returns program is paid and runs for approximately 12 weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects that match your skills and expertise, and tap into a support network of like-minded professionals. You will participate in a variety of orientation events and training sessions throughout the program that are designed to help you transition back into the work environment. You will also receive information about changes in the financial services industry, improve your technology skills and participate in workshops.” What Field/Industry: Investment Banking & Asset Management Where: U.S., the U.K., India and Switzerland Details: “ GTB’s Returnship program is a 10-week paid program giving women (who have cycled out of the workplace for two or more years) the opportunity to re-start their careers. It takes place from January 8, 2018 to March 16, 2018.” What Field/Industry: Advertising Where: Dearborn, MI

ASME Presents New Bolting Specialist Qualification Program

ASME Presents New Bolting Specialist Qualification Program ASME Presents New Bolting Specialist Qualification Program ASME Presents New Bolting Specialist Qualification Program ASME has launched a new training program, the ASME Bolting Specialist Qualification Program, which is specifically developed to enhance a bolters ability to safely and effectively assemble and disassemble pressurized joints. Preventing gasket leaks in these types of joints is one of the single most effective ways to improve safety, reduce fugitive emissions, lower maintenance costs and shorten turnaround times during shutdowns. The key to achieving these improvements is enhancing the bolters understanding of both the functions and limits of bolts, gaskets and flanges and especially the importance of following formal tightening procedures. While welders have long had the training they need to prevent leaks, bolters now have the formal training they need, said Michael Ireland, associate executive director, Engineering. ASMEs new qualification program was developed by a group of bolting industry experts - with over 193 collective years of   bolting experience - whose prime motivation is preventing bolted flange connection gasket leaks and who recognize the need for this training program. The new program, which incorporates online courses and hands-on training, will help participants understand and demonstrate the principles and practices of safe bolted joint assembly as outlined in Appendix A of ASME PCC-1: Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly. They will also learn to apply these practices in the safe and effective assembly of bolted joints. The ASME Bolting Specialist Qualification Program consists of four online modules and a one-day hands-on training session. The online training portion of the program is designed to improve bolters knowledge of the principles and procedures of safe and effective bolting, as assessed by an online test following each module. The hands-on tool demonstration and testing portion of the program allows candidates to review, observe and demonstrate actual tool handling coupled with practical application of the principles and practices to show their ability to safely and effectively operate bolting tools and assemble functioning joints. Candidates will receive the ASME Certificate for the Qualified Bolting Specialist upon the successful completion of the online courses, the online final examination, and the hands-on training. While the program is intended to enhance participants familiarization with the general principles and best practices of bolted joint assembly, it is not a certification program. The determination of an individuals competency for assigned tasks and work remains the responsibility of his or her employer. For more information about the new ASME Bolting Specialist Qualification Program, visit http://go.asme.org/boltingspecialist.

If Your Writing Dont Agree, It Dont Look Good

If Your Writing Don't Agree, It Don't Look Good If Your Writing Don't Agree, It Don't Look Good Don’t let these common errors brand you as unprofessional.Resume screeners can be very picky: they have that luxury. You want the job, and so do hundreds of other people. These busy professionals develop criteria to “disqualify” some of the many potential employees/business partners. It’s easy to knock out a candidate for lack of correctness (“After all, if s/he has an error in the cover letter, what worse mistakes will be made on the job?”).Here’s a story to illustrate that point: A friend of mine provides professional services to irrigate golf courses. During a particularly busy year, he couldn’t keep up with the amount of work he had, so he put one of his jobs out to bid. Only two proposals came in - one for $1.6 million and one for $1.8 million. Much to the surprise of everyone, he chose the $1.8 million dollar bid! Why? He discovered writing errors on the lower-priced submission, and didn’t want to take the risk of working with anyone who was that careless. The lesson here is to make sure your written representation is correct and excellent. It’s a buyer’s market. Have the goods that people can’t pass up!One of the basic aspects of sentence structure is ensuring proper agreement between the subject and the verb. A singular subject uses a singular verb; a plural subject uses a plural verb. Loretta works here. (Singular) / Loretta’s friends work here. (Plural) When parts of a subject are joined by or, or nor, the verb agrees with the nearer part. Either Loretta or Jim writes the weekly report. Singular indefinite pronouns use singular verbs. These pronouns include each, either, neither, -body, -one, and â€"thing. The workers are very dedicated. Each does her/his job. For some indefinite pronouns, imagine adding “single” to reinforce the pronoun’s need for a singular verb, as in: every (single) one, some (single) body, any (single) thing, and no (single) one. Plural indefinite pronouns use plural verbs. These pronouns include several, few, both, and many. Several were eager to go further. And now, a tricky test: “Someone left (her/his or their) laptop in the Board Room.” What would you choose as the correct answer?It’s easy to make an error with this. Most people are tempted to go with “their” (it sounds nonsexist to say it that way, but it’s grammatically incorrect). “Someone” (literally, “some single one”) is not a “they.” Someone is singular, and always needs to be referred to with other singular words, like “s/he.” A great way to get around this problem is to avoid the pronoun use altogether: “Someone left a laptop in the Board Room.” Of course, the best way to avoid problems is to know what’s correct and to use it correctly!