Sometimes, the companies reserve some CV to consider later. After several months, the company may call applicants and sometimes they do not remember anything. For that reason it´s necessary to be aware of the data and the requirements of the places where we have sent our information. In this case, it could be useful to follow certain guidelines to keep track of the nominations made.

First step, get organized

In a spreadsheet this information can be placed:

1. Institution´s name, area, sector.
2. How you contacted the institution. For example: newspaper advertisement, spontaneous presentation, through an acquaintance.
3. Occupation for which you have postulated.
4. Date of submission of CV.
5. CV and letter of introduction copies.
6. Interview: name of the interviewer, style of the interview.
7. Other data: may you contact the institution again? When? General comments about the interview, strengths and weaknesses that need strengthening.

Sometimes, there are other instances that you may have to pass before you get the job. For example a second interview, a psycho-technical test or others. Many times these instances are harder to get through than the others because the competition is against other applicants with more adequate profiles for the position.

To take into account

Before the interview: take an updated CV with you, verify the company´s contact data and adjust your own pretensions.

During the interview: be quiet, maintain the presence and respect, do not doubt, be tolerant and take care of your language.

After the interview: review your actions, reformulate positions, keep in contact with the company, be patient.

From the point of view of the candidate, it´s vital to be organized and to keep control over the CV sent. It has no sense sending hundreds of CV everywhere. One CV for each offer with its respective letter of introduction will allow a better monitoring and a good role in re-submitting the institution.

Once the objectives are clear, then we are ready to take a pen and a sheet of paper, sit down and start writing the résumé. The aim of the résumé is introducing our educative and labor backgrounds for a specific job opening or other positions (for example, an academic one).

In the beginning, we must consider that the applicant won’t be facing the employer at the time they’re reading the résumé. That is precisely why specific guidelines must be followed, in order to highlight some aspects and persuade the employer about having the ideal skills for the job. This can be achieved through organization and hierarchy of the contents, two very important aspects for the purpose. By properly organizing the information, the reading is guided to those strengths we want to emphasize.

Another important aspect to consider is that there is one model of résumé for each prospective job. Each presentation may require a specific order. For example, applying for a scholarship, the order will emphasize the academic base –degree, marks, and training courses- over the working experience.

An example of résumé

Here is a résumé organized according to a chronological order:

Personal data
Name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail. You may also mention if you have your own means of transport, driver’s license and if you’re willing to be transferred to another city.

Academic studies
Bachelors, masters, university degree and / or student of …

Computer skills
Programs where you have a basic, intermediate or advanced level. Always consider that during an interview one may be required to test these data.

Languages
Oral, written and translating level. Point out whether you have any certificate / degree.

Work experience
Clearly detail the tasks performed and the reasons why the previous position was abandoned.

Pre-professional practices
Voluntary work, workshops, publications.

Last but not least it is important to know that the formation, the courses, the constant training, all of them can open the doors to many opportunities, but most of the time you need to be sure of your own qualities, in order to offer your strong points and get a job according to your expectations.

By the time of the actual interview, always pay attention to your clothes and your looks altogether, both of them must be formal. Arriving on time gets you on the right track and also allows you to familiarize with the company’s environment, its moves, its dynamics, etc.

In the interview

The interview may take 30 to 40 minutes or may end suddenly, and both of them are signs of what to expect. Usually, you are first asked some general questions to create a friendly report between the parts; it is up to both of them for the kind environment to persist throughout the whole interview.

“You only have one chance to make a first impression”. This well-known phrase truly applies in this case, since the way you greet, the way you stand and the way you introduce yourself are really significant.

Never lie, and try to use a colloquial yet respectful vocabulary to show yourself as a sincere person. The same applies to body language, gestures, movements, etc. The more relaxed you are the better will things turn out. Of course, being natural doesn’t mean everything is allowed, you always have to keep your good manners.

Listen to the questions you are asked and always answer them. This may allow you to transform weakness –maybe suggested by your résumé- into strength. Pay specific attention to the answers you give about your previous job and the reasons for leaving that position.

Try to already have an idea about your salary conditions, with a minimum and a maximum requirement. This aspect shows your interest in the position. It is also helpful to remove all potential doubts about timetables, working place, salary and, if possible, when can you expect a result from the search and a contact to follow it.

To sum up, every second counts when it comes to a successful job interview. Knowing how to make use of the time you have can help you overcome the obstacles in your career of choice.

Learning Portuguese as a foreign language

The best way to credit your skills in the language is applying for the diplomas of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PLE). There are five different degrees to which one may access, according to the level -which is verified through a series of tests of each student’s language skills-.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages -a document that “provides a common basis for the development of language programs, curriculum guidelines, examinations, textbooks…, across Europe”- provides the basis for the different levels of PLE.

To take the exam, the student must choose one of the following levels:

• Certificado Inicial de Português Língua Estrangeira (Beginners’ Certificate of Portuguese as a Foreign Language)
• Diploma Elementar de Português Língua Estrangeira (Elementary Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language)
• Diploma Intermédio de Português Língua Estrangeira (Intermediate Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language)
• Diploma Avançado de Português Língua Estrangeira (Advanced Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language)
• Diploma Universitário de Português Língua Estrangeira (Bachelor Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language)

Different levels, different examinations

The exams at all levels have a very similar structure, always based on tests that evaluate writing, reading, speaking and listening comprehension.

In addition, the exams of the highest levels include tests that evaluate the grammar skills that each student has achieved, as well as the use of different structures.

With a score of 55/100, the student obtains an Aprovado (pass); with a score between 70 and 84, the student obtains a Bom (good), and with scores of 85 or higher the student merits a Muito Bom (very good).

Even though their structure is very similar, each level has an increased difficulty. For example, in the second level there are two separate tests for the reading and writing skills. The Intermediate Diploma of Portuguese as a Foreign Language already includes the structural competence evaluation. As for the two upper levels, the length and complexity of the tests enhance even more, in a way that the students can fully demonstrate their skills.

We have only one opportunity to cause a good impression, so it´s important to do it right. You must take care of your appearance as much as you can. It is always recommended to wear an elegant suit, for both, men or women. The makeup must be natural. In both cases the shoes must match with the rest of your clothes and must be as clean as possible.

On your way to the interview, the first rule is not to be late. If by any reason you are going to be late, you have to give notice of this as soon as you can. You have to take into account that you are not the only applicant and you could be out of contest very fast.

First words and acts

Once you are alone with the interviewer, it´s the time of truth. Wait until you are invited to take a seat and show confidence. Sit upright and try to control any tic or excessive movements that show tension or anxiety (avoid looking at your watch, playing with your fingers or your hair, crossing your legs once and again, etc.). Do not chew bubble gum and never smoke, even if the interviewer offers you.

It’s important to always be very respectful but also nice and enjoyable at the same time. Look at the person right into his eyes and do not get distracted.

How to behave and respond

It is essential to show yourself attentive and confident. Smile and answer the questions as simply and naturally as possible. You don’t have to show an exaggerated kindness or too much confidence with the interviewer, try always to maintain distance.

Listen to each question with interest and attention. At the moment of answering, avoid jokes or complex explanations, you won´t win anything by trying to seem important, be simple and brief in your responses. Do not try to guess what´s the trap in each question or what the other person is waiting to hear. Don´t show a personality that´s not your own, you should always tell the truth. If you didn´t understand the question, avoid answering anything, it is better to ask for an explanation.

At the end, remember to give thanks for the opportunity and repeat your interest in the job.

While we study it is also helpful to get used to our personal rhythm, knowing that it is not the same for everybody. We have to be realistic and value our individual capacities for memorizing or fixing the knowledge.

The right process

As soon as we begin studying, we must bear in mind that there is a stage of “pre-reading” –meaning the first look we take into the topic-, when we find out what it is all about and get a general idea. The title itself facilitates getting into it.

Later, we move on to the stage of comprehensive reading, which consists in reading with full detail the complete text. By this stage we should be writing annotations in the margin, noting the keywords or main concepts which we must remember later. We must also look up the unknown vocabulary in the dictionary; underline the important ideas and the fundamental concepts. Designing a scheme of contents or a summary is the best way to join the underlined concepts with the main ideas.

By this stage it is necessary not to get distracted by events that may occur in the surroundings or in the place where we are studying. Concentration will help retain the concepts. That is why studying in a private place is definitely recommended –the advice is to go somewhere separated from the rest of the house, a quiet, isolated place; if not available, it could be our own bedroom-.

The annotations are the notes, marks, signs and words written on the margin of the text which express the main ideas. They don’t have to be the exact same words of the text, since many times we have to replace them by our own. The scheme of contents is a graphic and hierarchic way of expressing the ideas of the issue we are studying.

The summary consists of extracting from the text everything we want to know and fix as acquired knowledge. Finally, we proceed to memorize the information, which means fixing in our memory the facts we want to remember.

You can learn through the web, where there are several websites on the Internet that offer courses on different languages, with videos and sound. Also, you can learn through a teacher, taking individual lessons and, also, learn at your job.

Each of these learning alternatives have their pros and cons, but all of them are valid options, according to the life style of the student:

1. One of the pros of self-taught courses is that the student learns whenever he/she wants and has to self-evaluate the knowledge he/she gets. This kind of course is available for all languages and on different levels of knowledge, for beginners as well as for advanced students. We can find these for sale in bookstores and town libraries.

2. As for television, we can find there courses on specialized channels or on open channels with special programming.

3. Surfing the web is one of the most common options nowadays. You can find featured offers presenting different options for language learning.

4. Learning with a teacher at a place devoted to language learning is the traditional method and you can find institutes throughout most of Europe. They offer vespertine courses so workers can attend, and they have the advantage of allowing you to share a physical space with other students who live situations similar to yours. The teacher is the guide in charge of the coordination of the group.

5. Learning at your job helps you change the daily routine. The arrival of the teacher is awaited to cut the usual work day and it’s also a method of personalized teaching. Businessmen admit that knowing different languages is very important in order to succeed in the business world. That’s why lots of large companies offer free or aid-funded language courses.

The different methods could be combined, alternating them through different stages of the learning process. It all depends on the place where you live, how much time you have available to learn and what other activities you perform during the day.

The speed of the learning progress will depend on each student. Having a fixed time to study every day or week is a big help. The ideal is to have two to four hours per week. It is important to reinforce your progresses with tests that will help you check your learning. And above all… Enjoy while you’re learning!

Although the technological era makes the companies ask for computer written letters more and more, there will always be those who try to discover “hidden” features through these lines.

If your future employer has asked you to write your letter by hand, you must write it at the right moment. Take your time; do not write if you are hurried or tired. The letter must be clear. There´s no need to have a perfect calligraphy, it is enough if it´s neat and easy to read.

Structure and writing

Both, in manuscript letters and in the computer, the coherence in the text is very important, as well as the structure in which it´s organized. In your letter you must explain shortly your qualities and why you think you are trained for the job you are applying to.

If you write too much, repeating what´s already specified in you Curriculum Vitae, then your letter won´t be taken into account. You must focus on the items that need extra information that could appear interesting for the interviewer.

Another common error is the mess in the structure of the letter. The letter has to be short and clear and has to be organized, basically, in three parts: introduction (presentation, position applied, where did you read the offer, etc.), important information (work experience, skills, goals, etc.) and greeting (asking for an interview and final greeting).

If we don´t know how to organize the information, it is convenient to use another letter as a guide.

Personal information

We must include contact data in the letter in order to be contacted easily by the interviewer, without having to come back to the CV. Complete name, address, telephone number and e-mail have to be in the letter. If they don´t, it is possible that our letter will end up being eliminated.

It´s advisable to have the advertisement with the offer so we can answer step by step all the requirements asked to the applicants. The interviewer needs to verify that we comply with the requirements.

There are people with a lot of study capacity and others who need a lot of time to get to the level required by a test, but some common recommendations applicable to all cases, are the following:

Work constantly. It is essential, if you’re taking an in-class course, to get the most out of it by taking active part in the classes, asking your questions so they can be answered by the teacher, etc. And if you’re studying online or as part of a long distance learning program, it is very important to tell your tutor about your problems so he/she can work around them with you and so you can understand each subject properly. So, the best idea is to work daily on the subject of study, to internalize the contents in the most suitable way.

Have a suitable study method, that will make us feel comfortable and safe, that will also include all the contents of the subject like schematics, graphs and other contents, as well as summaries, notes and explanations. These are indispensable for the success of our task.

If we follow through the Steps Before the Test (the above stated recommendations), when the day comes we’ll be able to get the final reinforcement of the subjects and get them consolidated in our memories just by giving a general but committed overview to the points we feel we still don’t know for sure.

If we follow these recommendations, we won’t have any doubts and this will provide us with a safety feeling that will reduce or eliminate worries.

Important points to reduce stress

A large number of students decide to use natural or pharmaceutical tranquilizers to deal with nervousness or stress problems when it comes to taking tests. In this case there aren’t any magic pills either to deal with the issue, but there are a few points that you can take into account to help reduce it considerably:

• It is important to rest well before the test. Sometimes you may need to use some relaxation techniques to achieve that.
• Do not saturate yourself with books in a rushed way. Take your time.
• Talking to your classmates right before the test may make you feel uncertain.

These are little details but they can diverge the mental harmony we need so our performance in the test will be the best and we can pass it.

Chain of facts that contribute to the food problem

The risen production costs also contributes to the rising of prices, since it goes up along with the fertilizers standards, the agricultural chemicals and the food transportation, just like the oil’s high price. If we add the rising of the prices of the energy used in the processing of raw materials, we can see how the huge demand of biofuels, that grows more and more each day, creating a need for oleaginous that used to be used for food, also adds up to this social problem.

Many analysts include in this problem the crucial factor of climate. The modified environmental factors diminish the farm yields, damaging them up to a 100% in some sectors. It is logical and predictable that the rising of population will also have a strong impact on this issue.

Food production around the world

A rise in the production of cereals and oleaginous food has been registered during the past few years. And you would think that this is due to the new technologies for the agricultural work, but it isn’t. It’s due to the rise of the amount of cultivated lands. The ecological damage isn’t registered right away, but it will gradually become evident.

Due to the rise in the amount of cultivated lands, plus the new production technologies, there should be a 10% rise in the year production. However, due to the yield’s drop because of the climatic conditions, a 2 or 3% increase is expected. Additionally, this rising percentage will start decreasing over time.

The food production must make a planned change, based on a sustainable development, in order to cover the demand without damaging the environment in which it develops. For this, governments must get involved in the issue, so they can invest the remaining resources in a way that’s committed to society and nature.