LABORATORY MANUAL FOR

PAGE

ADVANCED ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS LAB

LAB MANUAL (STUDENTS)(III B.Tech ECE, CSE, ME, CIVIL, EEE & AERO)

GURU NANAK INSTITUTIONS TECHNICAL CAMPUS

Ibrahimpatnam, Ranga Reddy District 501 506 (A.P)

GURU NANAK INSTITUTIONS TECHNICAL CAMPUS

Ibrahimpatnam, R.R. District 501 506 INDIA

List of Experiments as per the University

SYLLABUS:

The following course content is prescribed for the Advanced Communication Skills Lab:

1. Functional English - starting a conversation responding appropriately and relevantly using the right body language role play in different situations.

2. Vocabulary Building synonyms and antonyms, word roots, one-word substitutes, prefixes and suffixes, study of word origin, analogy, idioms and phrases.

3. Group Discussion dynamics of group discussion, intervention, summarizing, modulation of voice, body language, relevance, fluency and coherence.

4. Interview Skills concept and process, pre-interview planning, opening strategies, answering strategies, interview through tele-conferencing and video-conferencing.

5. Resume Writing structure and presentation, planning, defining the career objective, projecting ones strengths and skill-sets, summary, formats and styles, letter-writing.

6. Reading Comprehension reading for facts, guessing meanings from context, scanning, skimming, inferring meaning, critical reading.

7. Technical Report Writing Types of formats and styles, subject matter organization, clarity, coherence and style, planning, data-collection, tools, analysis.

Contents of Lab Manual (STUDENTS)

S. No NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT PAGE NOs.

0Introduction

4-5

1Functional English

6-11

2Vocabulary Building

11-30

3Group Discussion

30-34

4Interview Skills

35-46

5Resume Writing

46-56

6Reading Comprehension

56-63

7Technical Report Writing

63-71

List of Additional experiments, design experimentSOFT SKILLS Communication Media Etiquette Business Memos

Professional Etiquette

Problem solving skills ( Activity based)

Thinking skills (Case studies activity based)Objectives:

The introduction of the Advanced English Language Lab is considered essential at 3rd year level. At this stage the students need to prepare themselves for their careers which may require them to listen to, read, speak and write in English both for their professional and interpersonal communication in the globalised context. AECS Lab focuses on using computer-aided multimedia instruction along with practical activities for language development to meet the following targets. The proposed course should be an integrated theory and lab course to enable students to use good English and perform the following:

Gather ideas and information, to organize ideas relevantly and coherently.

Engage in debates.

Participate in group discussions.

Face interviews.

Write project/research reports/technical reports.

Make oral presentations.

Write formal letters.

Transfer information from non-verbal to verbal texts and vice versa.

To take part in social and professional communication.

Books Recommended:1. Effective Technical Communication, M. Ashraf Rizvi, Tata Mc. Graw-Hill Publishing Company Ltd.

2. A Course in English communication by Madhavi Apte, Prentice-Hall of India, 2007.

3. Communication Skills by Leena Sen, Prentice-Hall of India, 2005.

4. Academic Writing- A Practical guide for students by Stephen Bailey, Rontledge Falmer, London & New York, 2004.

5. English Language Communication : A Reader cum Lab Manual Dr A Ramakrishna Rao, Dr G Natanam & Prof SA Sankaranarayanan, Anuradha Publications, Chennai

6. Body Language- Your Success Mantra by Dr. Shalini Verma, S. Chand, 2006.

7. DELTAs key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test: Advanced Skill Practice, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, New Delhi.8. Books on TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/CAT by Barrons/cup

9. IELTS series with CDs by Cambridge University Press.10. Technical Report Writing Today by Daniel G. Riordan & Steven E. Pauley, Biztantra Publishers, 2005.

11. Basic Communication Skills for Technology by Andra J. Rutherford, 2nd Edition, Pearson Education, 2007.

12. Communication Skills for Engineers by Sunita Mishra & C. Muralikrishna, Pearson Education, 2007.

13. Objective English by Edgar Thorpe & Showick Thorpe, 2nd edition, Pearson Education, 2007.

14. Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test by Jolene Gear & Robert Gear, 4th Edition.

15. Technical Communication by Meenakshi Raman & Sangeeta Sharma, Oxford University Press.

DISTRIBUTION AND WEIGHTAGE OF MARKS:

Advanced Communication Skills Lab Practical Examination:

1. The practical examinations for the Advanced English Language Laboratory practice shall be conducted as per the University norms prescribed for the core Engineering practical sessions.

2. For the English Language lab sessions, there shall be a continuous evaluation during the

year for 25 sessional marks and 50 End Examination marks. Of the 25 marks, 15 marks

shall be awarded for day-to-day work and 10 marks to be awarded by conducting Internal

Lab Test(s). The End Examination shall be conducted by the teacher concerned with the

help of another member of the staff of the same department of the same institution.1. Functional English Objective: To communicate effectively and confidently to convey their ideas and opinions clearly. What is Functional English?

The term "functional" should be considered in the broad sense of providing learners with the skills and abilities they need to take an active and responsible role in their communities, everyday life, the workplace and educational settings. Functional English requires learners to communicate in ways that make them effective and involved as citizens, to operate confidently and to convey their ideas and opinions clearly.

One of the chief reasons why people want to learn a foreign language is this: They want to be able to do things in that language. That is, they want to agree or disagree with someone, accept or reject an offer, deny something, express likes/dislikes, offer food and drink, compliment someone and do a lot of things like these. In other words, they want to use that language and perform a number of everyday communicative functions.

Functions like these are everyday functions, because youll have to perform these functions whenever you deal with people. In fact, youll have to perform each of these functions not once, but several times, every day.

How to Start a ConversationStarting a conversation can be one of the most stressful things in life, but also one of the most rewarding. Being good at starting conversations is essential in our career, romance and many other aspects of life, so start mingling. Conversation Starting Tips

Research interesting things to talk about.

Before you approach somebody to talk, relax.

Ask interesting questions.

Don't focus on seeming clever.

Be prepared to listen. Step 1: Before You Start a Conversation Before you start a conversation, it's a good idea to make sure you'll have something interesting to say.

You'll be more interesting if you keep up with interesting things happening in popular culture and the news.

Follow the news, read good books and unusual websites, watch stimulating movies and TV shows, etc.

Form opinions about things, and be prepared to articulate them in an interesting way.

If there is a specific person you are planning to talk to, do a little research into things you know they're interested in.

Even knowing a few interesting details about their favorite sports team or TV show could give you something to talk about.

If you are very shy, you can even make a list of possible conversational topics.

Try to think of unusual subjects and questions that should be interesting to anyone. For example, which is a better superpower: flight or invisibility?

Don't be ashamed of making a list. Think of it as something to fall back on.

You might feel silly, but it can be helpful to use a mirror to practice conversation.

This gives you a more objective idea of how you sound and helps you practice your body language. Step 2: Starting a Conversation You've done your prep work. Now you're out and about, and ready to mingle!

Before you approach anybody, relax.

If you're tense, you'll make other people tense. Calm down, try to think of this as an enjoyable experience, and let your body language become very casual and welcoming.

Remember, there's really nothing to be so afraid of. Even if the conversation is a little dull or awkward, it's hardly the end of the world.

If you spot a stranger you want to talk to, give them a quick but thorough look to see if you can get any ideas about their possible interests. A band t-shirt is an obvious sign about the kind of music that person likes. Look for other clues in the person's clothing.

You can also check out your surroundings for possible things to talk about.

Is there anything interesting in the area? Is there some sort of unusual art or architecture nearby? Do you have any mutual friends there?

Say hello and shake their hand, if the circumstances seem appropriate. In certain situations, shaking hands could seem too formal. In other situations, it could seem too personal.

If you know you have some common ground with the person, you can start by focusing on that. Talk about your neighborhood, a teacher you share, something at work, etc.

If the person has nice clothing, you can start a conversation with a compliment and a question. When You Have Nothing to Talk About "I like your coat! Where did you get that?"

Complimenting their clothing is one thing, but you should avoid commenting on the person's physical appearance too soon. Telling somebody they have nice eyes when you just met could seem creepy.

Don't compliment the person for something unless you really mean it. If you give them a false compliment and they see through it, you'll look like you're trying to scam them for some reason.

Don't go into the conversation trying to sound clever. Be ready to listen.

Focus on questions to get things going. Ask about the person, and if a certain subject seems to bring them to life, follow up on it.

If you want to have an interesting conversation, ask interesting questions. If the other person is just answering "yes" or "no" a lot, your questions probably aren't open-ended enough.

If you're paying attention to the other person, you won't be focused on yourself, so you're less likely to be nervous.Step 3: Joining a Conversation If you notice an interesting conversation already in progress, you can try to join it.

If only two people are chatting, don't attempt to join that conversation.

A conversation between two people is too intimate to intrude on, and you'll seem rude. Stick to bigger groups.

Even with groups of three or more, carefully observe their behavior to make sure they're not discussing something too personal for you to join in. If their conversation seems to have hit a momentary lull, you can jump in with a short comment or question to get them talking again.

If they're discussing the weather, for instance, you could ask if anybody has heard if it's supposed to rain soon.

Don't linger, and don't butt in.

If there never seems to be a pause in the conversation, move on before your presence becomes awkward.

Step 4: Things to Avoid There are many common mistakes that people make when they are trying to start a conversation.

You don't want to have an argument, so avoid potentially controversial subjects like politics, sex or religion with somebody you don't know well.

Don't get too personal too soon.

Don't ask about heavy subjects like death, divorce, etc.

Don't interrupt the other person, or monopolize the conversation. Talk about yourself, but not to an excessive degree.

Definitely don't try to make yourself sound cool by criticizing others.

This will probably just make you sound insecure. Besides, the person you're talking to could turn out to be a close friend of the person you're tearing down!

Avoid complaining.

Even if you're going through some bad things in your life, don't share your problems with somebody you just met.

If you're trying to interest somebody, you don't want to seem negative or depressing. Conclusion Perhaps the most important tip we can offer is that old cliche: be yourself. it became a cliche for a reason. By letting your true self show when you meet somebody, you're going to be a lot more interesting than you would be if you tried to impress them with some fake persona.

You've lived a lifetime full of experiences, and there is a whole Earth around you full of fascinating things. You've got a lot to talk about!

So, don't be shy. Get out there and mingle.Using the Right Body LanguageBody language is a form of non-verbal communication involving the use of stylized gestures, postures, and physiologic signs which act as cues to other people. Humans, unconsciously, send and receive non-verbal signals all the time Understanding body language Ways to Improve Body Language1. Dont cross your arms or legs You have probably already heard you shouldnt cross your arms as it might make you seem defensive or guarded. This goes for your legs too. Keep your arms and legs open.2. Have eye contact, but dont stare If there are several people you are talking to, give them all some eye contact to create a better connection and see if they are listening. Keeping too much eye-contact might creep people out. Giving no eye-contact might make you seem insecure. If you are not used to keeping eye-contact it might feel a little hard or scary in the beginning but keep working on it and youll get used to it.3. Dont be afraid to take up some space Taking up space by for example sitting or standing with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and that you are comfortable in your own skin.4. Relax your shoulders When you feel tense its easily winds up as tension in your shoulders. They might move up and forward a bit. Try to relax. Try to loosen up by shaking the shoulders a bit and move them back slightly.5. Nod when they are talking nod once in a while to signal that you are listening. But dont overdo it and peck like Woody Woodpecker.6. Dont slouch; sit up straight but in a relaxed way, not in a too tense manner.7. Lean, but not too much If you want to show that you are interested in what someone is saying, lean toward the person talking. If you want to show that youre confident in yourself and relaxed lean back a bit. But dont lean in too much or you might seem needy and desperate for some approval. Or lean back too much or you might seem arrogant and distant.Smile and laugh lighten up, dont take yourself too seriously. Relax a bit, smile and laugh when someone says something funny. People will be a lot more inclined to listen to you if you seem to be a positive person. But dont be the first to laugh at your own jokes, it makes you seem nervous and needy. Smile when you are8. Introduced to someone but dont keep a smile plastered on your face, youll seem insincere.9. Dont touch your face it might make you seem nervous and can be distracting for the listeners or the people in the conversation.10. Keep your head up - Dont keep your eyes on the ground, it might make you seem insecure and a bit lost. Keep your head up straight and your eyes towards the horizon.11. Slow down a bit this goes for many things. Walking slower not only makes you seem more calm and confident, it will also make you feel less stressed. If someone addresses you, dont snap youre neck in their direction, turn it a bit more slowly instead.12. Dont fidget try to avoid, phase out or transform fidgety movement and nervous ticks such as shaking your leg or tapping your fingers against the table rapidly. Youll see nervous and fidgeting can be a distracting when you try to get something across. Try to relax, slow down and focus your movements. 13. Use your hands more confidently instead of fidgeting with your hands and scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make. But dont use them to much or it might become distracting. And dont let your hands flail around, use them with some control. 14. Lower your drink dont hold your drink in front of your chest. In fact, dont hold anything in front of your heart as it will make you seem guarded and distant. Lower it and hold it beside your leg instead.15. Keep a good attitude last but not least, keep a positive, open and relaxed attitude. How you feel will come through your body language and can make a major difference. For information on how make yourself feel better read 10 ways to change how you feel and for relaxation try, A very simple way to feel relaxed for 24 hours.16. Dont stand too close one of the things we learned from Seinfeld is that everybody gets weirder out by a close-talker. Let people have their personal space, dont invade it. 2. Vocabulary Building

Objective: To Enhance vocabulary of the students.Introduction to Vocabulary:

Words are the instruments by means of which men and women grasp the thoughts of others and with which they do much of their own thinking. They are the "tools of thought."

Effective Ways to Build Your Vocabulary:

Learning how to build a better vocabulary can be a pleasurable and profitable investment of both your time and effort. At least fifteen minutes a day of concentrated study on a regular basis can bring about a rapid improvement in your vocabulary skills, which in turn can increase your ability to communicate by writing, conversing, or making speeches. Acquiring a large vocabulary can benefit you in school, at work, and socially. It will enable you to understand others' ideas better and to have the satisfaction or getting your thoughts and ideas across more effectively.

Of course, you already know thousands of words, and you will continue to learn more whether you work at it or not. The fact is that many of the words you know were probably learned simply by coming across them often enough in your reading, in conversation, and even while watching television. But increasing the pace of your learning requires a consistent, dedicated approach. If you learned only one new word a day for the next three years, you would have over a thousand new words in your vocabulary. However, if you decided right now to learn ten new words a day, in one year you would have added over three thousand to what you already know, and probably have established a lifetime habit of learning and self-improvement.

What are the steps?

Be Aware of Words:

Many people are surprised when they are told they have small vocabulary. "But I read all the time!" they protest. This shows that reading alone may not be enough to make you learn new words. When we read a novel, for instance, there is usually a strong urge to get on with the story and skip over unfamiliar or perhaps vaguely known words. But while it is obvious when a word is totally unknown to you, you have to be especially aware of words that seem familiar to you but whose precise meanings you may not really know.

Instead of avoiding these words, you will need to take a closer look at them. First, try to guess at a word's meaning from its context-that is, the sense of the passage in which it appears; second, if you have a dictionary on hand, look up the word's meaning immediately. This slows down your reading somewhat, but your improved understanding of each new word will eventually speed your learning of other words, making reading easier. Make a daily practice of noting words of interest to you for further study whenever you are reading, listening to the radio, talking to friends, or watching television.

Read:

When you have become more aware of words, reading is the next important step to increasing your knowledge of words, because that is how you will find most of the words you should be learning. It is also the best way to check on words you have already learned. When you come across a word you have recently studied, and you understand it, that proves you have learned its meaning.

What should you read? Whatever interests you--whatever makes you want to read. If you like sports, read the sports page of the newspapers; read magazines like Sports Illustrated; read books about your favorite athletes. If you are interested in interior decorating, read a magazine like House Beautiful--read it, don't just look at the photographs.

Often people with very low vocabularies don't enjoy reading at all. It's more of a chore for them than a pleasure because they don't understand many of the words. If this is the way you feel about reading, try reading easier things. Newspapers are usually easier than magazines; a magazine like Reader's Digest is easier to read than The Atlantic Monthly. There is no point in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or are not interested in. The important idea is to find things to read you can enjoy, and to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning new words always in mind.

Use a Dictionary:

Most people know how to use a dictionary to look up a word's meaning. Here are some pointers on how to do this as a part of a vocabulary-building program:

Have your own Dictionary

Keep it where you usually do your reading at home. You are more likely to use it if you do not have to get it from another room. At work, there may be a good dictionary available for your use. At home, most people do not have a big, unabridged dictionary; however, one of the smaller collegiate dictionaries would be fine to start with.

Circle the words you look up

After you have done this for a while, your eye will naturally move to the words you have circled whenever you flip through the dictionary. This will give you a quick form of review.

Read the entire entry for the word you look up

Remember, words can have more than one meaning, and the meaning you need for the word you are looking up may not be the first one given in your dictionary. Even if it is, the other meanings of the word will help you understand the different ways the word is used.

Also, the word's "history," usually given near the beginning of the entry, can often give a fascinating picture of the way the word has developed its current meaning. This will add to the pleasure of learning the word as well as help you remember it.Synonyms and AntonymsWhat are synonyms?

Synonyms are different words (or sometimes phrases) with identical or very similar meanings.

Directions:In this section, a word or a group of words are underlined in each sentence. For each underlined part, four words/phrases are listed below. Choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined part.

Example:

His style is quite transparent.

(a) verbose

(b) involved

(c) lucid

(d) witty

Explanation: the word lucid is nearest in meaning to the word transparent. So (c) is the correct answer.

Practise ExerciseAttempt the following :1. Few teachers have been spared the problem of an obstreperous pupil in

the class.

(a) sullen(b) unruly (c) lazy(d) awkward

2.His visit to foreign countries brought about a seachange in his outlook and his attitude to people.

(a) complete change

(b) partial change

(c) favourable change

(d) unfavourable change

3.He found a lucrative assignment.

(a) good

(b) profitable (c)excellent (d)significant

4.It took him a long time to come round after the operation.

(a) recover(b) walk

(c) move

(d) eat

5.The students attitude towards his teacher was deferential

(a) evasive

(b) rude

(c) indifferent(d) respectful

6.There was intermittent rainfall throughout the afternoon.

(a) heavy

(b)sporadic

(c) continual

(d)respectful

7.The thief skillfully eluded the police net.

(a) avoided

(b) jumped

(c) crossed

(d) jilted

8.He explained his precarious strategy to his followers in unequivocal

terms.

(a) unmistakable

(b)unnatural

(c) unknown

(d)forceful

9.This variety of pigeon has now become extinct.

(a) extant

(b) rare

(c) distinct

(d)dead

10.Swift is known in the world of letters for his misogynism.

(a) hate for mankind

(b) hate for womankind

(c) love for the reasonable (d) love for womankind

Write the synonyms of the following:

Retreat Compassionate Benevolent

Zenith Crude

Plenty

AppropriateSufficient

Polyglot

PotableOptimist

Ambidextrous

Abstain Barbarous

Calamity

Debacle

What are Antonyms?

The antonym of a word is a word which means the opposite.

Directions:

In this section, each sentence consists of a word or a phrase which is underlined, followed by four words or phrases. Select the word or phrase which is opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

Example:

Rani is a smart girl.

(a) lazy

(b) active

(c) indecent

(d) casual

The word which is nearest opposite in meaning to the underlined word smart is lazy. Practice Exercise

Attempt the following:

1.Many people try to resist reforms in the society.

(a) fight (b) accept(c) welcome (d) repel

2.His interpretation of the poem is superficial.

(a) mysterious

(b) difficult

(c) profound

(d) mystical

3.Poets often prefer ambiguity to

(a) clarity(b) certainty

(c) rationality (d) perversity

4.The actor is well known both for his humility and courage.

(a) pride(b) determination(c) honesty (d) gentleness

5.Feasibility of the project is under study.

(a)Unsuitability

(b)Cheapness

(c)Impropriety

(d)Impracticability

6.No one can admire a deceitful boy.

(a)dull

(b) sincere

(c)mischievous

(d) aggressive

7.He gave a shallow argument in defence of his case.

(a)unpretentious

(b) learned

(c)complicated

(d) considered

8.His health appeared to have further deteriorated because of his exasperating outing at college.

(a)augmented

(b) thrived

(c)improved

(d) enhanced

9.The remarks made by the advocate in the court were effectively concise.

(a)obscure

(b) verbose

(c)perspicuous

(d) piquant

10.We have carefully read your explanation and it sounds plausible.

(a)incoherent

(b) unconvincing

(c)undesirable

(d) impertinent

Write the antonyms of the following:

Accelerate

Ascent

Immigration

Arrival

Optimist

Import

Helpful

Exclude

Construct

Busy

Abundant

Ability

Better

Capable

Damage

Simple

Prefix

Rough

Tragedy

Top

Probable

Finish

Satisfaction

Wild

Superior

Sharp

Interior

Praise

Human

Polite

Word Roots

Some common Greek and Latin roots:

Root (source)MeaningEnglish words

aster, astr (G)starastronomy, astrology

audi (L)to hearaudible, auditorium

bene (L)good, wellbenefit, benevolent

bio (G)lifebiology, autobiography

dic, dict (L)to speakdictionary, dictator

fer (L)to carrytransfer, referral

fix (L)to fastenfix, suffix, affix

geo (G)earthgeography, geology

graph (G)to writegraphic, photography

jur, just (L)lawjury, justice

log, logue (G)word, thought,speechmonolog(ue), astrology, biology, neologism

luc (L)lightlucid, translucent

manu (L)handmanual, manuscript

meter, metre (G)measuremetric, thermometer

op, oper (L)workoperation, operator

path (G)feelingpathetic, sympathy, empathy

ped (G)childpediatrics, pedophile

phil (G)lovephilosophy, Anglophile

phys (G)body, naturephysical, physics

scrib, script (L)to writescribble, manuscript

tele (G)far offtelephone, television

ter, terr (L)earthterritory, extraterrestrial

vac (L)emptyvacant, vacuum, evacuate

verb (L)wordverbal, verbose

vid, vis (L)to seevideo, vision, television

One-word Substitutes: 1.

1.A person not available at a given place - absentee

2. Act of a substance being taken - absorption

3. A paragraph with the main ideas of a document - abstract

4. short form of a word - abbreviation

5. A word formed from the first letters of certain words - acronym

6. List of items for discussion at a meeting - agenda

7. Money paid to ex-husband or ex-wife - alimony

8. Character and atmosphere of a place - ambience

9. Collection of poems, stories, essays - anthology

10.Selling through print or visual media - advertisement

11.Loss of relative or friend - bereavement

12.Of sky or heaven - celestial

13.Disease lasting for a long time - chronic

14.Meeting where instruction or information given - briefing

15.Meal not served at table - buffet

16.The way a group of people come up with useful ideas - brainstorming

17.Stupid and careless mistake - blunder

18.A famous person - celebrity

19.Talking to people supporting a party - canvass

20.A group of government ministers - cabinet

21.One killing animals and selling meat - butcher

22.Become red in the face because of embarrassment - blush

23.Relative who lived long ago - ancestor

24.Something used as standard of comparison- benchmark

25.A system of following official rules strictly- bureaucracy

26.In complete agreement- unanimous

27.An unmarried woman- spinster

28.Of same kind- homogeneous

29.Last but one- penultimate

30.of different kind- heterogeneous

31.Without preparation- impromptu

32.That can easily catch fire- inflammable

33.Commonly used and present everywhere- ubiquitous

34.Without name- anonymous

35.No longer in existence- extinct

36.A list of important words with meanings- glossary

37.One who runs own business- entrepreneur

38.A person with negative attitude- cynic

39.Specialist in medicine- physician

40.A list of books related to a particular topic or subject- bibliography

41.Something given for remembrance - momento

42.One with exceptional talent far beyond age - prodigy

43.A name other than the real one - pseudonym

44.One leaving country for lack of security - refugee

45.Dictionary compilation - lexicography

46.Belonging to the same period - contemporary

47.One who spends time with others - extrovert

48.One who eats too much - glutton

49.One running away to avoid being caught - fugitive

50.Money paid illegally for work done - kickback/bribe Practise Exercise

Give one word substitutes to the following:

The practice of being married to more than one person at a time___________The murder of ones own mother________A box or cage for keeping rabbits_________A place where aeroplanes are housed_______

A place where animals are kept___________A subject in which you learn about stars and planets_________One who looks at the bright side of things__________A number of stars grouped together____________The study of birds__________One who believes in God_________One who does not believe in God__________A place where dogs are kept___________One who is present everywhere__________A place where money is coined_____________Words often confused:Homonyms are words that have the same pronunciation and spelling but have different meanings.

Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings.

There are also some words which are pronounced somewhat similarly but have different spellings.

1. anonymous - unanimous

anonymous without a name or with a name that is not known

unanimous - showing complete agreement

Examples:

Only cowards would like to write anonymous letters.

This resolution was passed by the board of Governors unanimously.

2. affect effect - effects

affect have an influence on, pretend, act on

effect result, outcome, bring about, impression created in the mind of a person

effects goods, property

Examples:

His affected politeness is highly irritating

It is difficult to effect a change in the attitude of stubborn people.

The landlord threw out the personal effects of his tenant for non-payment of rent.

Tolstoy had a tremendous effect on Gandhijis mind

3. apprise - appraise

apprise - inform

appraise fix a price for

Examples:

His secretary apprised the minister of the possible consequences.

This building is appraised at rupees one crore.

4. accidental occidental - incidental

accidental - happening unexpectedly

occidental relating to the west

incidental - small and comparatively unimportant, liable to happen or occur

Examples:

It was an accidental meeting with my friend after a long time.

There is a gulf of difference between occidental & oriental culture.

The incidental expenses are also paid by the company besides the fares.

5.adapt adopt - adept

adapt - make suitable for new use or situation etc.

adopt - take an idea or a custom, accept, take someone into ones family

adept - skillful

Examples:

Novels are often adapted for television or radio.

One must adapt oneself to new manners & customs.

He is adept at playing cricket.

Parliament adopted the finance bill after thorough discussion

6. apposite - opposite

apposite - strikingly appropriate for a purpose or a occasion

opposite - entirely different, contrary

Examples:

He is noted for his apposite remarks for any occasion.

The Prime minister has discussed bilateral problems with his opposite member.

7. affluent - effluent

affluent - wealthy, abundant, rich

effluent - discharge of waste liquid from a factory

Examples:

America is an affluent country

The effluents of the leather industry are considered harmful .

8. artist - artiste

artist - one who practices one of the fine arts like painting, one who shows good taste

artiste - professional singer, dancer, actor etc

Examples:

M.F. Hussain is a recognized artist with a large collection of paintings to his credit

M.S. Subbalakshmi was a renowned artiste of South Indian classical music.

9. complement - compliment

complement - that which makes something complete

compliment - admiration, approval, greetings

Examples:

Verbal communication can be complemented by non-verbal communication

Please convey my compliments to your better-half.

10. commensurate - commiserate

commensurate - in the right proportion

commiserate - feel pity for someone

Examples:

Multi-national companies invariably extract work commensurate with the compensation package.

We naturally commiserate with our friends on their misfortunes.

11. courtesy - curtsey

courtesy - good behaviour, show of politeness

curtsey - gesture of respected to a person or royalty or exalted figure

Examples:

We should inculcate courtesy in children even from a very young age.

Showing curtsey to king or queen was mandatory in monarchies.

12. continual - continuous

continual - going on with only short breaks

continuous- going on without a break

Examples:

The continual rain has dampened our enthusiasm.

Nothing can be really continuous except time.

13. defy - deify

defy - resist openly, challenge, refuse to obey or show disrespect

deify worship as a God

Examples:

Defying the law could land you in prison.

Deifying the godmen has become the order of the day.

14. confirm - conform

confirm - make firm or stronger, ratify, agree definitely to

conform - be in agreement, comply with, adapt oneself to

Examples:

Please confirm your telephonic message through a letter.

We should conform our lives to certain accepted standards.

15. vantage - vintage

vantage - advantage

vintage - old but of quality

Examples:

Many people sought vantage points to have a glimpse of the President.

Vintage wines are specially available in France.

16. augur - auger

augur - a sign of something especially good or bad in the future

auger - a tool used for making holes in wood or in the ground

Examples:

The recent Indo-Pak initiatives augur well for peace in this region.

Foundation engineers use a soil auger to test the foundation soil.

17. curb - kerb

curb - check or restrain

kerb - edge of a pavement

Examples:

Have a curb on your vices.

The scooterist hit the kerb and lost his balance.

18. soar - sore

soar - fly high in the air

sore - tender and painful, irritated

Examples:

Prices of oil seared when war broke out between Iraq and Iran.

He felt sore at not having been invited to the party.

19. vain - vein

vain - without use or value

vein - blood vessel in the body along which blood flows to the heart.

Examples:

All our efforts our in vain

The doctor had difficulty in finding my vein.

20. saviour - savour

saviour - a person who saves somebody from danger

savour - appreciate taste, flavour or character of

Examples:

We firmly believe that God is our saviour

Some people savour dishes with garlic in them.

The audience savoured the comedians joke.

21. ail - ale

ail - cause problems for, trouble something or somebody

ale - a type of beer

Examples:

Whats ailing you?

In Britain ale is a common drink and is available in bottles & cans.

22. altar - alter

altar - a raised platform used for religious purposes

alter - change or make different

Examples:

In Christian churches altar is the communion table.

I accept your apology but it doesnt alter the way I feel about your behaviour.

23. ascent - assent

ascent - climbing

assent - agreement

Examples:

The heavy truck began its gradual ascent to Tirumala

The court gave its assent to increasing the height of the Narmada Dam.

24. ante - anti

ante - before, in front of, amount put by a player in a game of cards

anti - opposed to

Examples:

The gambler wanted his rival to raise the ante.

He is indulging in anti-social activities.

25. bail - bale

bail - money paid to court to get an accused to stay out of jail until trial

bale - a lot of light material pressed tightly and tied up

Examples:

I will put up bail for my brother

The truck is carrying bales of straw.

26. canvas - canvass

canvas - strong heavy rough cloth for making tents, sails, for painting

canvass - move around asking people to support an individual or a political party

Examples:

Painters use canvas to paint pictures

During elections, candidates canvass for getting voters to vote for them

27. cede - seed

cede - give control/power to someone, unwillingly

seed - small hard part of a plant from which another plant can grow

Examples:

Recently, the Nepal king ceded power to the people

We sow the seeds just before the rains.

28. cannon - canon

cannon - hit someone with a lot of force while moving, large gun

canon - generally accepted standard for judgement

Examples:

The continuous sound of shelling from cannon in the war front is the characteristic of modern wars.

Certain canons or norms guide human behaviour in society.

29. coarse - course

coarse - rough

course - lessons in a particular subject

Examples:

The hands of manual workers are coarse.

The English course is quite tough30. cheap - cheep

cheap - costing little money

cheep - make short high sounds

Examples:

Laptops are getting cheaper by the day

Young birds cheep.

Learning Prefixes and SuffixesKnowing the Greek and Latin roots of several prefixes and suffixes (beginning and endings attached to words) can also help us determine the meaning of words. Ante, for instance, means before, and if we connect bellum with belligerent to figure out the connection with war, we'll know that antebellum refers to the period before war. (In the United States, the antebellum period is our history before the Civil War.)Prefixes showing quantity

MeaningPrefixes in English Words

halfsemiannual, hemisphere

oneunicycle, monarchy, monorail

twobinary, bimonthly, dilemma, dichotomy

hundredcentury, centimeter, hectoliter

thousandmillimeter, kilometer

Prefixes showing negation

without, no, notasexual, anonymous, illegal, immoral, invalid, irreverent, unskilled

not, absence of, opposing, againstNon - breakable, antacid, antipathy, contradict

opposite to, complement tocounterclockwise, counterweight

do the opposite of, remove, reducedehorn, devitalize, devalue

do the opposite of, deprive ofdisestablish, disarm

wrongly, badmisjudge, misdeed

Prefixes showing time

beforeantecedent, forecast, precede, prologue

afterpostwar

againrewrite, redundant

Prefixes showing direction or position

above, oversupervise, supererogatory

across, overtransport, translate

below, underinfrasonic, infrastructure, subterranean, hypodermic

in front ofproceed, prefix

behindrecede

out oferupt, explicit, ecstasy

intoinjection, immerse, encourage, empower

aroundcircumnavigate, perimeter

withcoexist, colloquy, communicate, consequence, correspond, sympathy, synchronize

1. SuffixesA suffix is a group of letters at the end of a word which modify the meaning of a word and frequently determine its function within a sentence. Take the noun nation, for example. With suffixes, the word becomes the adjective national, the adverb nationally, and the verb nationalize. See what words you can come up with that use the following suffixes. Typical noun suffixes are -ence, -ance, -or, -er, -ment, -list, -ism, -ship, -ency, -sion, -tion, -ness, -hood, -dom

Typical verb suffixes are -en, -ify, -ize, -ate

Typical adjective suffixes are -able, -ible, -al, -tial, -tic, -ly, -ful, -ous, -tive, -less, -ish, -ulent The adverb suffix is -ly (although not all words that end in -ly are adverbslike friendly. Add prefixes or suffixes to the given meanings:i. ______________archy = without government

ii. ______________script = written afterwards

iii.construct ___________= act of constructingiv. book _______________= a small bookAnalogy:An analogy is a comparison showing resemblance between two or more entities; calling attention to these likenesses is to draw an analogy. Analogies help people to relate known things to unknown things. They are also argumentative tools used in debate that are useful in creating perspectives by relating to similar, possibly unrelated things.There are four kinds of analogies:Non-Argumentative or Illustrative AnalogiesThe non-argumentative or illustrative analogies attempt to compare one thing to another with intent to explain, not to argue.Descriptive AnalogiesThe descriptive analogies is often used to create a lively description."Ants never make their way to an empty granary: no friends will visit departed wealth"OvidThis analogy allows the reader to form a picture, it does not establish or prove a conclusion.Explanatory AnalogiesThis analogy creates understanding between something unknown by relating it to something known. It provides insight by edifying, understanding by relating what you don't know with what you do know. Not to persuade, but to understand.Argumentative AnalogiesArgumentative analogies help us to form an inference by making a comparison between things that are familiar to us and things that are not so familiar.Deductive AnalogiesTreating like cases alike; being consistent with our comparisons. Irrelevant reasons should be kept out. Often deductive analogies use hypothetical or made-up comparisons in order to make a point. The idea then is whether or not the "unknown" and the "known" are actually similar. Ex: "We would think it wrong for creatures from outer space, vastly more intelligent than humans, to inflict pain on us in raising humans for their meat counters. So analogously, it is wrong for us to inflict pain on animals, just because we are more intelligent than they are" (M. Daniel).For this analogy, you would have to consider: is an alien from outer space similar to us? (Treat like-as-like). If we disagree that aliens and humans are similar than this analogy is not effective.Inductive AnalogiesThese analogies are more for basis of predictions rather than decisions/persuasion. This type of analogy draws comparison between cases and suggests that since the analogy hold some respects, it is likely to hold in other respects as well.Ex: A certain type of medication was tested on a rat. The rat developed a serious side effect and therefore a human being would.This is a prediction based on the fact that human beings and rats have certain similarities that may cause us to react similarly.Ex: A certain type of medication was tested on a house fly. The house fly died; therefore a human being would die.This analogy is not a good one. We are more similar to rats than to house flies. Rats and human beings are both mammals, whereas a housefly is an insect. In deductive analogies the "known" and the "unknown" must both be real things, neither are allowed to be hypothetical.An Example : COW: CALF :(A) ewe : kid (B) mare : foal (C) hen : rooster (D) ram : lamb(E) sow : pig

The answer is B, because just as a cow is the mother of a calf, a mare is the mother of a foal. None of the other choices show a mother/offspring relationship.Practise Exercise :Identify the right choices which exhibits the same relationship :

1.Advance : Retreat

(a) buy : sell

(b)push : pull

(c)create : destroy

(d)forward : onward

Ans. Create : Destroy

2.Body : Hand

(a)pin : nail

(b)chair : table

(c )thorn : flower

(d)automobile : wheel

Ans. Automobile : Wheel

3.Polymer : Cell

(a)coin : money

(b)food : wheat

(c )chain : link

(d)fibre : plastic

Ans. Chain : Link4.Property : Mortgage

(a)money : lend

(b)equity : interest

(c )inventory : merchandise

(d)security : price

Ans. Money : Lend

5.Pistol : Trigger

(a)sword : scabbard

(b)motor : switch

(c )gun : holster

(d)rifle : soldierAns. Motor : Switch

6.Cell : Chromosome

(a)drug : ailment

(b)schizophrenia : brain

(c )tree : leaves

(d)air : oxygen

Ans. Air : Oxygen7.Radium : Curie

(a)museum : artifact

(b)U.S. : Clinton

(c )telephone : Bell

(d)drama : show

Ans. Telephone : Bell8.Ocean : Saline

(a)honey : bee

(b)rain : fresh

(c )rose : red

(d)heaven : paradise

Ans. Rain : Fresh

9.Computer : Ram

(a)book : page

(b)cloud : rain

(c )table : tablecloth

(d)sky : blue

Ans. Book : Page

10.Bells : Jingle

(a)crow : caw

(b)anklets : tinkle

(c )pig : snuff

(d)clock : time

Ans. Anklets : Tinkle

IDIOMS & IDIOMATIC PHRASESEvery language will have its own idiom or specific characters of the use of a word or a phrase peculiar to it. Such words and phrases in a sentence which cannot be understood from the meanings of individual words; the meaning of such phrases are called idioms. One can gain command of the language when idiomatic usage is mastered.1.All and sundry - everyone

Example:

We cannot invite all and sundry to dinner.

2. A bone of contention - a cause of dispute

Example:

This piece of land is a bone contention between the municipality and the forest department.

3.Bag and Baggage - with all belongings

Example:

He migrated to Bangalore bag and baggage

4. Behind the scene - privately, secretly

Example:

The two parties came to an understanding behind the scene on sharing of seats.

5. By fits and starts - irregularly

Example:

The Government cannot eradicate corruption if it works by fits and starts.

6. By leaps and bounds - rapidly, fast

Example:

After world war II Japan progressed by leaps and bounds.

7. By hook or by crook - by fair or foul means

Example:

Merchants make millions by hook or by crook

8.Fair and square - just

Example:

Public servants must be fair and square with all people.

9. Few and far between - rare

Example:

The visits of the elected leaders to their constituencies are few and far between.

10.Hard and fast - strict

Example:

There are no hard and fast rules for becoming rich.

11. Heart and soul - earnestly, with dedication and commitment

Example:

One must work heart and soul to become great.

12. Hue and cry - loud noise

Example:

The comrades made hue and cry over the nuclear deal with the USA.

13. In the nick of time - just on time

Example:

I was able to get into the bus in the nick of time.

14. In black and white - in writing

Example:

Your explanation should be submitted in black and white.

15. Kith and kin - blood relations

Example:

We must consider all Indians kith and kin.

16. Next to nothing - less than zero

Example:

My knowledge of mathematics is next to nothing.

17. Null and void - no longer in practice

Example:

The Supreme court ruling rendered the High court judgement null and void.

18. Over and above - in addition to

Example:

His daily allowances are over and above his salary.

19. Odds and ends - bits, pieces

Example:

Cockroaches live on odds and ends of food lying on the dining table.

20. Part and parcel - integral parts

Example:

Guiding the students in all respects is part and parcel of his job.

21. Pros and cons - positive and negative points

Example:

Before we enter into a deal we must consider the pros and cons of the issue.

22. Safe and sound - quite safely

Example:

The children came back from the hill station safe and sound.

23. Scot free - without punishment

Example:

Sometimes for want of evidence, criminals are let off scot free.

24. Slow and steady - gradual

Example:

We must realize our ambitions in a slow and steady way.

25. Sum and substance - the central idea, the gist

Example:

The sum and substance of the poem is very simple.

26. Through thick and thin - in all circumstances, in misery and prosperity

Example:

Friends must be true to one another through thick and thin.

27. Tit for tat - blow for blow

Example:

I gave him a tit for tat for insulting me.

28. Time and tide - opportunities

Example:

Clever people make the best use of time and tide.

29. To be up and doing - to be prepared to act

Example:

When problems come, one must be up and doing to solve them.

30. To play ducks and drakes - to waste

Example:

Some students play ducks and drakes with their precious time and fail in the examinations.

Practice Exercise

Use the following idioms / phrases in your own sentences:

Bolt from the blue

By hook or crook

To be abreast of

Be all and end all

In the air

Bell the cat

Blow ones own trumpetA burning questionAt sixes and sevens

A cat and dogs life To beat about the bush A fish out of water

Call a spade a spadeCrocodile tears

In the air3. Group DiscussionObjective: A Group Discussion has three main objectives They are to test 1. The candidates knowledge of the subject.

2. His ability to communicate with others.

3. His behaviour in the group, which may reflect his personal traits, leadership qualities,

attitudes, spirit of accommodation, tolerance, self-confidence etc.

INTRODUCTION:

In these days of intense competition, employers are not satisfied with mere interviews for employees to assess their behaviour in a group. Human beings are gregarious animals and they interact in several groups in every-day social, academic, professional and political. Hence, discussion has now become an indispensable criterion for choosing candidates for higher positions in professional life.

What is a group discussion?

A Group Discussion is a forum where people sit together; discuss a topic with the common objective of finding a solution for a problem or discussing an issue that is given to them.

TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSION:

Group Discussion can be divided into two broad categories based on the topic/issue given for discussion. They are: 1. Topic based Group Discussion and2. Case- based Group Discussion (also called Case Studies)Most of the management institutes (as a part of their admission process) as well as most organizations (as a part of their campus recruitment process) use Topic- based Group Discussions. There are a few institutes or organizations that use Case studies in the Group Discussions in their selection process.

TOPIC BASED GROUP DISCUSSIONS:

In topic-based GDs, the group members are given a topic to discuss. A topic is typically in the form of a statement (some times the topic may not be a complete statement. For eg:The biggest problem faced by our country is could be a GD topic). By the end of the discussion, the group should strive to arrive at consensus on the issue that is covered by the topic. The Topic-based Group Discussions are of two types:

KNOWLEDGE-BASED:These are such that you need to have some knowledge about the topic to be able to speak on the topic. An example for this type of topics is India should withdraw from WTO. Here, unless you have some knowledge about WTO, what other countries have done, what Indias views are on the matter, etc., you will not be able to speak effectively on the topic. Knowledge- based topics mostly cover current economic issues. It is mainly focused on the following topics:a) Economic topics

b) Social topics

c) Political topics

d) Sports/Films related topics

e) IT based, etc.

f) Legal topics

NON-KNOWLEDGE BASED:

These do not require a knowledge base in any specific area for you to be able to talk about them. Common, day- to- day knowledge is sufficient to do a good job of talking about such topics. Your worldly knowledge and common sense will help you in speaking on the topic. It is sub-divided into two categories:

CASE-BASED GROUP DISCUSSIONS (CASE STUDIES):In case studies, a short description of a situation (called a case) is given to all participants. The case will be a problem situation that requires a solution. The participants have to study the case, analyze the problem and discuss their views about the problem solution to the problem with other members of the group. IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Indore. Etc., have been giving case-based Group Discussions as a part of their selection process.MODERATOR:The moderator stands in the background and observes the participants confidence, tact, temperament, alertness ability to convince others with their line of thinking and argument.

PROCEDURE: There are generally five to ten people in a group discussion. The candidates who assemble for a discussion are assigned serial numbers such as 1, 2, 3 and so on. Clear instructions are given that they should not disclose their names. They bear the number tags during the course of discussion and numbers addresses each.STRATEGIES:

Once the topic for discussion is chosen, the candidate has to decide either to speak in favour of the topic or against the topic .The candidate should have sufficient facts either to contradict or to support the issue. The language should be simple and lucid. The candidate should be tactful while contradicting the views of other participants. Blunt statement such as Your arguments are baseless, or You are absolutely wrong, is not in good taste. The candidate has to disagree without sounding rude by saying things such as I beg to differ.

Some patterns of starting a discussion:

We have assembled here to discuss

Let us get down to business.

Shall we set the ball rolling?

Shall we make a start?Some patterns for interrupting a discussion:

Sorry to interrupt you

Excuse me, but

Could I make a suggestion, please?

Could I say something ?

Sorry to disagree with you.

If I could make a point here

Some patterns of ending a discussion:I think that covers everything.

It is time to wind up.Shall we close the discussion then?

Time allotted:Normally, each group is given 15 to 20 minutes for discussing the topic. However there can be variations in the time that is allowed for the discussion. In some cases, the Group Discussion may be terminated much earlier or it can be extended to 30 minutes or more. One point that you should bear in mind is that the time required for the discussion does not depend on the group size. Whatever the size of the group, 15 to 25 minutes is what is normally required (and is normally given) for a Group Discussion. Sometimes the moderator may not pre specify the duration of the GD.

How to improve your performance in Group Discussion:

Now that we have understood what Group Discussions are all about and what the moderator looks for in the participants, let us understand how you can enhance your performance in a GD. There are definite ways of improving your participation and performance in a Group Discussion. There are three different aspects that you should take care of to improve your performance in GDs. They are:

Building your knowledge base

Generating ideas about the topic Improving your participation in GD

Displaying Positive Body Language

Respecting the opinions of other participants

Being polite with the other participants

Here we provide you with a number of prompts for a topic. You should use these prompts and generate points for all the topics.

RELIGION IS THE OPIUM OF THE MASSES

1. What do we mean by religion?

2. Is religion faith in God alone, or is it a way of life?

3. What is opium?

4. How can religion act as opium?

5. What are the conditions under which people resort to taking opium?

6. Why will religion become the opium?

7. What are the interests of the people who peddle the religion to be the opium to the masses?

8. Under what circumstances will masses not take religion as opium?

9. Should we bring in any measures to stop people taking religion as opium or is perfectly all right for religion to be the opium of the masses?

10. Can any instance be cited either in the present or in the past where religion has been used as the opium of masses?

11. Who are the people who will de-addict the masses from this opium?Practice ExerciseTopics for GD

1 BPO- boon or bane 2 Entrance cancellation3 Indo China Competition4 India in world cricket5 Olympic medal-why not for India6 Bribery-Cause, Effect & Remedy7 Religion & Society8 Indian Economy & Business9 Nuclear Deal- Boon or Bane10 Iraq War & Sadaam Hussain11 Terrorism - cause & remedy12 Product & Service oriented-Stable Economy?13 Education System & Reforms required14 Dowry system15 Bhopal Tragedy-Root cause

344. Interview Skills

Objective: To build confidence level of the students and prepare them to face interviews.Interview Process:There are many different types of interviews designed to serve different purposes or situations. Regardless of the type of interview, most will incorporate the following stages: establishing rapport, exchanging information, and closing the interview. Pay attention to the job titles of the interviewer(s). This can help you decide how much technical detail to provide in your responses.Establishing RapportThis is a very important part of the interview because while establishing rapport, first impressions are made, and the tone of the interview is set. Some people suggest that the decision to hire is greatly influenced by the first five minutes of the interview. A good interviewer will introduce him/herself, and take the lead. Follow his or her lead - if they are chatty, be chatty; if they are formal, be formal. Some employers use what seems to be casual conversation to get to know you on a more personal level - this may be crucial to a hiring decision! Smile and maintain eye contact. This is one way of communicating confidence, even if you don't feel it.

If the interviewer offers his or her hand, shake it firmly. If they don't, it is appropriate to offer yours.

Wait until the interviewer sits or offers you a seat before sitting down.

If the interviewer is making small talk, participate. Keep your answers short and positive.Exchange of Information:This is the bulk of the interview. It is your opportunity to let the interviewer know what you have to offer, and your chance to learn more about the organization.

When you answer a question, look the interviewer in the eye. Be aware of the interviewer's reactions. If he or she looks confused, ask if you can clarify anything. 35 Be aware of what your body is saying. Avoid closed postures. Sit upright, but not

stiffly. Try to find a comfortable position as that will make you feel more relaxed.

Control your nervous habits. Don't swing your foot, talk with your hands (to an

extreme), or fiddle with jewellery, buttons, pens, etc.

Show that you are interested in the job by asking questions.

Try not to appear bored or anxious. Don't look at your watch.Closing the Interview:When the interviewer is done gathering the information that is needed, he or she will ask if you have anything to add, or if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to mentally review your inventory of skills and make sure that you have communicated everything that you wanted to. If any of your questions have not been addressed during the course of the interview, now is the time to ask them.

Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.

Ask when you can expect to hear from him/her.

If it is not known when a decision will be reached, ask if you can phone in a week's time to inquire about the progress.

If the interviewer offers his/her hand, shake it firmly. Otherwise, it is fine to offer yours first.

If not already discussed, you can offer to leave a sample of your work, or portfolio if you have one.Types of Interview1. Panel/Board Interviews:Candidates are interviewed by two or more individuals. This process is commonly used by governments and large organizations. It is important to maintain eye contact with the person asking the question and give an answer with an example to support it. Always acknowledge the other interviewers' presence by making eye contact while answering rotating questions. Direct your attention at the beginning and end of your response to the person who asked you that question. The questions asked in the interview are often set out in advance. The board may already have decided which answers they will accept/prefer for the questions. Ignore note-taking by board members. Obtain employers' names prior to the interview and use them during the conversation.2. One-On-One Interviews:Candidates are interviewed by one person. These interviews tend to be more informal, however, it always depends on the employer's style. The interviewer will often have a series of prepared questions, but may have some flexibility in their choices. It is important to maintain eye contact with the person interviewing you. 36

3. Impromptu Interviews:This interview commonly occurs when employers are approached directly and tends to be very informal and unstructured. Applicants should be prepared at all times for on-the-spot interviews, especially in situations such as a job fair or a cold call. It is an ideal time for employers to ask the candidate some basic questions to determine whether he/she may be interested in formally interviewing the candidate.

4. Second Interviews or Follow-Up Interviews:Employers invite those applicants they are seriously considering as an employee following a screening or initial interview. These interviews are generally conducted by middle or senior management, together or separately. Applicants can expect more in-depth questions, and the employer will be expecting a greater level of preparation on the part of the candidate. Applicants should continue to research the employer following the first interview, and be prepared to use any information gained through the previous interview to their advantage.

5. Telephone Interviews:Have a copy of your resume and any points you want to remember to say nearby. If you are on your home telephone, make sure that all roommates or family members are aware of the interview (avoids loud stereos, etc.). Speak a bit slower than usual. It is crucial that you convey your enthusiasm verbally, since the interviewer cannot see your face. If there are pauses, don't worry, the interviewer is likely just making some notes.

6. Group Interviews:Employers bringing several candidates together in a group situation to solve a problem are testing your ability to work in a team environment. They want to know how you will present information to other people, offer suggestions, relate to other ideas, and work to solve a problem. In short, they are testing your interpersonal skills. It is difficult to prepare for this type of interview except to remember what is being testing and to use the skills you have to be the best team player and/or leader you can be. Some employers will take you to meet the staff who would be your co-workers if hired. This is a very casual type of interview, but leaving a positive and friendly impression is no less critical.Interview PreparationResearch is a critical part of preparing for an interview. If you haven't done your homework, it is going to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself, the occupation, the organization, and questions you might ask at the end of the interview.1. Know Yourself:The first step in preparing for an interview is to do a thorough self-assessment so that you will know what you have to offer an employer. It is very important to develop a complete inventory of skills, experience, and personal attributes that you can use to market yourself to employers at any time during the interview process. 37In developing this inventory, it is easiest to start with experience. Once you have a detailed list of activities that you have done (past jobs, extra-curricular involvements, volunteer work, school projects, etc.), it is fairly easy to identify your skills. Simply go through the list, and for each item ask yourself "What could I have learned by doing this?" "What skills did I develop?" "What issues/circumstances have I learned to deal with?"

Keep in mind that skills fall into two categories - technical and generic. Technical skills are the skills required to do a specific job. For a laboratory assistant, technical skills might include knowledge of sterilization procedures, slide preparation, and scientific report writing. For an outreach worker, technical skills might include counselling skills, case management skills, or program design and evaluation skills. Generic skills are those which are transferable to many work settings. Following is a list of the ten most marketable skills. You will notice that they are all generic.

Analytical/Problem Solving

Flexibility/Versatility

Interpersonal

Oral/Written Communication

Organization/Planning

Time Management

Motivation

Leadership

Self-Starter/Initiative

Team Players2.Know the Occupation:The second step in preparing for an interview is to research the occupation. This is necessary because in order to present a convincing argument that you have the experience and skills required for that occupation, you must first know what those requirements and duties are. With this information uncovered, you can then match the skills you have (using the complete skills/experience inventory you have just prepared) with the skills you know people in that occupational field need. The resulting "shortlist" will be the one that you need to emphasize during the interview. It is also in your best interest to identify the approximate starting salary for that position, or those similar. There are several ways to find out about an occupation:

38 Acquire a copy of the job description from the employer (Human Resources/Personnel) or check with Student Employment Services. If you are responding to an advertisement, this may also supply some details.

If you belong to a professional association related to the occupation, use its resources. These associations often publish informative newsletters and sponsor seminars. It is also a good way to meet people working in the field. Conduct information interviews with people working in the field. Read articles about people in the occupation, and articles written by people in the occupation. Sources include newspapers, magazines and the internet.

Find out what the future trends are in the area. Is technology changing the job?

3.Know the Organization:

The more you know about an organization, the better prepared you will be to discuss how you can meet its needs. Some of the characteristics that you should know about an organization are:

Where is it located?

How big is it?

What are its products and who does it serve?

How is the organization structured?

What is its history? Have there been any recent changes, new developments?

There are a number of ways in which you can access this information. Most medium- to large-sized organizations publish information about themselves. You can access this a number of ways:

On campus at the Student Employment Services (company literature and business directories) or at the Drake Centre Library

The Winnipeg Centennial Library has a business microfiche with information on over 5000 Canadian companies and business directories

Many companies have internet home pages which you can locate by searching by industry and company name

Finally, you can visit or phone the organization and request some information on their products, services or areas of research 39 If the organization is fairly small, or fairly new, there may not be much information published. In this case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact someone within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are considering moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet with him/her to inquire about the company/organization and about what exactly the position would involve.4. Prepare Questions:If the organization is fairly small, or fairly new, there may not be much information published. In this case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact someone within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are considering moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet with him/her to inquire about the company/organization and about what exactly the position would involve.

Having completed your background research, you are now ready to prepare questions to ask the interviewer(s). Try to think of questions for which the answer was not readily available in company literature. Intelligent well thought-out questions will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position. Be careful how many questions you ask, however, as too many can imply you feel the interview was not successfully run. Pick your questions with care - this is your chance to gather information, so ask about what you really want to know. Avoid sounding critical by mentioning negative information you may have discovered. This is one of the most effective ways to compare different employers, so for issues of particular importance to you (for example, whether they support staff upgrading), you should ask the same questions of each employer.

Some sample questions are:

1. What are the most significant factors affecting your business today?

2. How have changes in technology most affected your business today?

3. How has your business/industry been affected by the recession?

4. How has your company grown or changed in the last couple of years?

5. What future direction do you see the company taking?

6. Where is the greatest demand for your services or product?

7. Where is most of the pressure from increased business felt in this company?

8. Which department feels it the most?

9. How do you differ from your competitors?

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10. How much responsibility will I be given in this position?

11. What do you like about working with this organization?

12. Can you tell me more about the training program?

13. Have any new product lines been introduced recently? 14. How much travel is normally expected?

15. What criteria will be used to evaluate my performance?

16. Will I work independently or as part of a team?

17. How did you advance to your position?

18. What are the career paths available in this organization?

19. When can I expect to hear from you regarding this position?

It is very important to ask the last question because employers want to hire individuals who are interested in the position - and asking this question definitely helps to demonstrate interest on your part. Exercise judgment when asking questions to an employer. When being interviewed by a large company that has a high profile, one would not ask the question "What is the history of your company and how was your company started?" You can find the answer to this question in the company's annual report or articles in magazines/newspapers. However, small- and medium-sized companies do not always produce publicly available annual reports and it may be difficult to access information on the company and its role in the industry. This question is appropriate if you have exercised all other ways to find out the answer.

Sample Question and answers:

Q.Was there ever a time that you were challenged or put under pressure?A. Yes. I recently had to meet a very tight project deadline for an important customer.

Would you like for me to go on?

Q. Yes, please do. What were the circumstances?A. One of our top customers wanted complex product modifications in only a week,

including matching changes to the standard user manual. It was my job to customize the user manual, by working with the engineer who was to make the modifications. During our first project meeting, I recommended that I write an addendum to the user manual, which would be quicker than editing the entire manual. The project team and our customer thought it was a good idea, so that's what I did. 41

Q. Good recommendation. When did you feel challenged or under pressure?A. Well, I felt pressured right away, because I knew that the deadline was tight even for an addendum, and this particular customer was so very important to our business.

Q. How did you cope with the pressure?A. I turned the pressure into challenge. A good challenge makes me determined, and

determination gives me the energy to meet the challenge.

Q. Can you give me an example to help me better understand what you mean?A. Sure. It's like when I challenge myself to jog a little further than I have before. I'm

determined to do it, which in turn, gives me the energy to do it. The same thing happened on the project.

Q. Good analogy. How did you go about accomplishing the project?A. To save time, I started with the same template I initially created for the standard

manual. It took only a few tweaks to modify it for an addendum. Then I worked extra hours in my office or took my laptop home with me after hours and worked on it there.

Q. What was the outcome?A. I made the deadline on time. Our customer was so pleased with the addendum, that

my manager gave me an out-of-cycle promotion. Our CEO took the project team out to dinner at a nice restaurant, where he presented Gold Achievement Awards to all of us.

Q. Tell me about yourself?

A. This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended interview question and likely to be among the

first. It's your chance to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work and career related.

Q. Why do you want to leave your current job?A. Be careful with this. Avoid trashing other employers and making statements like, "I need more money." Instead, make generic statements such as, "It's a career move."

Q.What are your strengths?

A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job.

Q. What are your weaknesses?A. Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too much time on this one and keep it

work related. Along with a minor weakness or two, try to point out a couple of weaknesses that the interviewer might see as strengths, such as sometimes being a 42

little too meticulous about the quality of your work. (Avoid saying "I work too hard." It's a predictable, common answer.) For every weakness, offer a strength that compensates for it.

Q. Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?A. Answer with positive, work-oriented adjectives, such as conscientious, hard-working, honest and courteous, plus a brief description or example of why each fits you well.

Q. What do you know about our company?

A. To answer this one, research the company before you interview.

Q. Why do you want to work for us?

A. Same as above. Research the company before you interview. Avoid the predictable,

such as, "Because it's a great company." Say why you think it's a great company.

Q. Why should I hire you?

A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job, and the good job you've done in

the past. Include any compliments you've received from management.

Q. What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction?A. Focus more on achievement than reward.

Q. What makes you want to work hard?A. Naturally, material rewards such as perks, salary and benefits come into play. But

again, focus more on achievement and the satisfaction you derive from it.

Q.What type of work environment do you like best?A. Tailor your answer to the job. For example, if in doing your job you're required to

lock the lab doors and work alone, then indicate that you enjoy being a team player when needed, but also enjoy working independently. If you're required to attend regular project planning and status meetings, then indicate that you're a strong team player and like being part of a team.

Q. Why do you want this job?

A. To help you answer this and related questions, study the job ad in advance. But a job ad alone may not be enough, so it's okay to ask questions about the job while you're answering. Say what attracts you to the job. Avoid the obvious and meaningless, such as, "I need a job."

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Q. How do you handle pressure and stress?

A. This is sort of a double whammy, because you're likely already stressed from the

interview and the interviewer can see if you're handling it well or not. Everybody feels stress, but the degree varies. Saying that you whine to your shrink, kick your dog or slam down a fifth of Jack Daniels are not good answers. Exercising, relaxing with a good book, socializing with friends or turning stress into productive energy are more along the lines of the "correct" answers.

Q. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle.A. The interviewer is likely looking for a particular example of your problem-solving

skills and the pride you show for solving it.

Q. Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now?A. Explain your career-advancement goals that are in line with the job for which you

are interviewing. Your interviewer is likely more interested in how he, she or the

company will benefit from you achieving your goals than what you'll get from it, but it goes hand in hand to a large degree. It's not a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you'll be going after his or her job, but it's okay to mention that you'd like to earn a senior or management position.

Q. What qualifies you for this job?

A. Tout your skills, experience, education and other qualifications, especially those that

match the job description well. Avoid just regurgitating your resume. Explain why.

Q. Why did you choose your college major?

A. The interviewer is likely fishing to see if you are interested in your field of work or

just doing a job to get paid. Explain why you like it. Besides your personal interests, include some rock-solid business reasons that show you have vision and business sense.

Interview PurposeThe interview is an opportunity for both the employer and the applicant to gather information. The employer wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge, self-confidence, and motivation necessary for the job. At this point you can be confident that the employer saw something of interest in your resume. He or she also wants to determine whether or not you will fit in with the organization's current employees and philosophy. Similarly, you will want to evaluate the position and the organization, and determine if they 44will fit into your career plans. The interview is a two-way exchange of information. It is an opportunity for both parties to market themselves. The employer is selling the organization to you, and you are marketing your skills, knowledge, and personality to the employer.Mistakes

Oversell

Trying too hard to impress; bragging; acting aggressively.

UndersellFailing to emphasize the fact that you have related skills; discussing experience using negative qualifiers (i.e."I have a little experience...").

Body Language

It is easy to create a negative impression without even realizing that you are doing it. Are you staring at your feet, or talking tothe interviewer's shoulder? Be aware of what your actions say about you.

Lack of Honesty

The slightest stretching of the truth may result in you being screened out.

Negative Attitude The interview is not an opportunity for you to complain about your current supervisor or co-workers (or even about 'little' things, such as the weather).

Lack of PreparationYou have to know about the organization and the occupation. If you don't, it will appear as though you are not interested in the position.

Lack of EnthusiasmIf you are not excited about the work at the interview, the employer will not assume that your attitude will improve when hired.RejectionKeep in mind that rejection is a normal part of every job search. For every position, if 100 people apply, 99 will be rejected. If you are rejected, it does not mean that you are not a good applicant. It simply means that you were not the best applicant for that particular job 45at that particular time. Don't get discouraged. Rejection happens to everyone and is not a reflection of you. Consider each new application a new opportunity. Walt Disney's idea for Disneyland was rejected by six major banks before being accepted. They said no one would come.

A record company which had the opportunity to sign the Beatles rejected them. They felt that electric guitar music was only a phase.5. Resume Writing

Objective: To train the students to create an effective resume. What is a Resume?Resumes are what people use to get jobs, right?

Wrong! A resume is a one or two page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience. Your rsums purpose is to get your foot in the door. A resume does its job successfully if it does not exclude you from consideration. To prepare a successful resume, you need to know how to review, summarize, and present your experiences and achievements on one page. Unless you have considerable experience, you don't need two pages. Outline your achievements briefly and concisely. Your resume is your ticket to an interview where you can sell yourself!

How to Prepare an Effective Resume!1. Resume Essentials :

Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thoroug