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News you can use!
Volume 2.4 Summer 1998
This month’s issue will help you make the most of your summer holiday. Whether you decide to seek employment or enhance your English at the ELSC’s Summer Programme, you’ll find all the information you need in the ELSC Newsletter.
SUMMER PROGRAMME
The ELSC is offering an exciting and eclectic programme this summer. Students can choose from a variety of academic, non-academic, and special interest topics.
Academic Courses
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Non-academic Courses
Special Interest Courses
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Courses are offered on a weekly basis 29 June through 14 August. Booking begins 22 June. See you there!
Inside you’ll find Phrasal Verbs You Can Work With
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH "When you work, you are like the flute through whose heart the melody of hours turns to music." Kahlil Gibran ‘The Prophet’ |
Step 1 The Job Search |
Many departments have notice boards where employment
opportunities are posted. Check with your department. The Students Affairs Office’s web site offers an online "Career Guidance & Job Placement Service" to PolyU students.Another good source is the newspaper. The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Standard and Ming Bao, all have substantial job sections. Be realistic as you peruse the advertisements. It is also important, however, not to sell yourself short. As you look over the qualifications, don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet the criteria. If you are close, you may still have a chance. It’s also wise to apply for several jobs. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Step 2 Curriculum Vitae |
Once
you have selected an advertisement, the next step is to prepare
your CV. Ideally, this should be a concise and powerful summary
of your educational, professional and personal background.
Students often become discouraged that they don’t have much
work experience to include. Don’t let this bother you.
Employers won’t expect students to have vast amounts of
experience and you shouldn’t be applying for jobs that
require it. Instead they will be looking for pertinent personal
information that will give them some insight into what kind of
person you are. It is therefore important to include information
on your extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs,
volunteer services, and hobbies.
Step 3 Application Letters |
After preparing your CV, the next step is to write an application letter. There are many different styles. The important thing is to be consistent. An application letter or cover letter should be no longer than one page and be persuasive enough to convince your potential employer to read your CV. Resist the temptation to restate all of the information in your CV.
Generally, an application letter will consist of four paragraphs. The first paragraph should inform the reader of your reason for writing and where you saw the job advertised. The second paragraph should provide some relevant information about your qualifications and experience. The next paragraph is your opportunity to state why you should be considered as a strong candidate for the position. Finish your letter by informing the reader of your availability and how you can be contacted.
Step 4 Interviews |
Arrive on time
Learn about your potential employer
Prepare a few questions to ask
Sit up straight
Listen attentively and maintain eye-contact
Dress appropriately
Turn your mobile phone and beeper off
Don’t
Be late
Smoke
Mumble
Chew gum
Adapted from Module 1 Job Seeking Process, ELSC Resources RoomEverything you'll need |
http://www.polyu.edu.hk/~sao/cwis/Student_Information/career_guide/cgjp.htm
SCMP Career Life News
http://www.classifiedpost.com.hk/career_ind_fs.html
Happy netsurfing!
Charles joined
the PolyU as a full time Language Instructor in September 1995.
Before that he worked with an international company and travelled
throughout Southeast Asia. Charles has extensive international
teaching experience. He worked as a director of language schools
in Finland and has travelled widely in Scandinavia and the former
Soviet Union. In addition to travelling, Charles enjoys
photography, literature and classical music.
Diana did her first degree in Hawaii
and her Masters in Australia. Before coming to PolyU in November
1997, Diana taught in Hong Kong and Australia. She enjoys the
simple things in life and likes to develop positive relationships
with her students. Her future ambition is to lead a simple and
peaceful life. She loves travelling, talking to her students, and
playing with her 18-month-old niece.
Deirdre is originally
from Ireland and has been in Hong Kong for over 10 years. She has
been teaching in PolyU for a number of years now. She is
interested in learning Cantonese as she thinks this gives her
greater insight into language learning and teaching in Hong Kong.
Deirdre plans to continue teaching language in the future.
This month we feature an essay by Cordelia Ng.
The Economy of Hong Kong has DifficultyLately, Hong Kong is in a tough business cycle. Can Hong Kong people spin up the economy? How can this problem be tackled? We focus on two kinds of factors affecting the economy of Hong Kong. There are external factors and internal factors. Internal factors are the liquidation of business and the decrease in daily spending. External factors are the down turn in tourism and the decrease in daily spending. After we discuss these two kinds of factors, we will give some suggestions on improving this situation.
External factors are the problems that occur outside Hong Kong. In the recent year, tourism, which is an invisible trade, has decreased in Hong Kong. This may be due to the appreciation of the Hong Kong Dollar. Goods purchased in Hong Kong are becoming higher price than before. So, people are not willing to visit Hong Kong again. This has led to a decrease in the invisible trade. Since tourism is an important component of local income, the decrease in tourism has a harmful effect.
Another effect is the appreciation of the Hong Kong Dollar. Since Hong Kong is a small city, the economic impact of the Hong Kong Dollar appreciation may be more important. A large proportion of finished goods, which is visible trade, is exported so that we can generate foreign exchange. If there is an appreciation of the Dollar, it will affect export trading. Foreigners may not be willing to buy Hong Kong products. They will turn to buy other goods with a lower price. This has impact on a visible trade and our comparative advantages.
In addition to external factors, internal factors also have an impact on the Hong Kong economy.
Besides, internal factors have an influence in the business cycle. As mentioned before, the decrease in tourism will drag down the sales of business. As a result, some of them have difficulties. Some may close down.
Moreover, shutting down business has a big effect on the economy. For example, many employers decrease salaries to cut down the operating expenses. Some even lose their jobs. This also decreases the living standard. People are not willing to spend. So they reduce the expenses of spending on leisure activities such as shopping, disco, having dinner outside and so on. We can see that people earn little income and need to afford the daily expenses. This reluctance may be a barrier for the economy to return to the previous situation.
On the other hand, this also increases the cost of living. It is because public utility raises the fare such as bus fare, electricity charge, water-charge and so on. Also, other daily expenses increase such as vegetables, clothing and daily supplies. These kinds of expenses affect daily life. This is the reason why the Hong Kong economy cannot improve.
Notice: The Writing Assistance rogramme will reopen on 15 September. |
To work (one’s way) up (from) -- to move to increasingly higher levels of responsibility within a company through hard work.
In less than five years, Elaine was able to work her way up from clerk to Director of Overseas Shipping.
To work under-- to perform a job under the supervision of someone
John cringed when he learnt who his new boss would be. He knew the man had a reputation for being difficult to work under.
To work towards-- to strive to reach a goal
Doris takes evening classes. She is working towards a degree in physical therapy.
To work on-- to give considerable effort to an objective
Jim has been working on his assignment all day.
Idioms that Work Wonders
To work like a charm -- to be quickly and easily successful; to have an immediate effect
After suffering with the illness for more than a week, Jane finally visited the doctor. He prescribed a medication that worked like a charm. Within a few hours she was completely cured.
To work like a horse -- to work very hard
Ever since David bought the old house, he has been working like a horse. He is constantly at work with the renovations.
To work till/until one drops-- to work continuously until one collapses or becomes unable to work anymore
Their boss was particularly sadistic. He placed a sign above his office that read, " Work till you drop."
All in a day’s work-- An expression used as a modest response when someone is thanked or commended for having done a good job.
"It’s all in a day’s work", said the firefighter after being thanked for saving the child from the blaze.
Adapted from The Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English
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