Meet Your Japanese Reading Tutor

Meet Your Japanese Reading TutorJapanese reading tutor in Tokyo is probably the most important part of the entire course of study. Although they are no longer indispensable, it is still extremely important to meet them regularly and spend quality time with them. With Japan's fast paced and changing society, it is best to constantly meet your Japanese tutor.Do not sign up for any books or course materials until you have met your tutor. Some Japanese tutor might ask you to pay for an advanced course that you might have never even heard of. You must not pay for it. Some universities are not completely scrupulous in writing new student codes and other things in a traditional way.Make sure that your tutor does not demand an advance payment from you. If you ever run into problems with the study or the ability to meet the daily classes and tests, ask for a cancellation. With every fee you receive, you will lose out on a lot of what you need. Try to expect a cancellation.In Japanese language , there is a regular course of study called IEM. The college looks at a lot of things from different perspectives in a regular course. The challenge for your teacher is to meet all of the demands of his students and also to give them enough things to do. Your Japanese tutor should do this too. The most essential part of the course is the IEM.In Japan, you cannot graduate from high school if you cannot read and write in Japanese. If you fail to meet the requirements of the college, you will have to take remedial courses after you graduate. When you are finished with the regular course, your Japanese tutor can assess your scores and make suggestions to you for further study. It is important that you meet your tutor in person at least once every month. He or she will be able to learn a lot from you because of how easily you communicate with others.When you are with your Japanese reading tutor, make sure that you always watch his or her classroom. Talk to him or her. If you are unable t o understand something or have problems communicating with him or her, it might be a good idea to schedule a time to meet in the other classroom. This will be an instant way of getting the communication going.Finally, make sure that you know the rules and the normal lessons. Make sure that you have a complete understanding of all the homework assigned, the exams, the tests, and the materials you are expected to use.

How to survive a toxic work environment - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to survive a toxic work environment - Introvert Whisperer How to survive a toxic work environment? Do you wake up every morning and dread to go to the office? Do you detest the politics and drama that goes on in your office? When it comes to being a victim of a toxic workplace, you are not alone. You will be surprised to know that recent research has thrown light on the shocking fact of how 53 per cent of employees all over the world are currently unhappy at work. If you detested homework at school, you are bound to hate this as well. So what defines a toxic workplace? Haley Denver, a Human Resource expert, defines a poisonous work environment as one that cultivates bullying, backbiting and unhealthy competition. If you are a part of a workplace that has too much of political manipulations going on, we hear you. We understand how difficult it is to deal with an unappreciative boss and unyielding managers. Add to that, there is relentless backbiting and snitching that just does not let you breathe easy. According to a survey, it has been found out that working in a toxic workplace can lead to health and mental problems. Stress from a toxic work environment can lead to lowered self-confidence due to continuous bullying and emotional shaming. The consequences of toxicity in a workplace are not just limited to a person’s physical health. A person who is subjected to a dangerous work ambience turns bitter due to the stress. Working in a toxic environment can adversely affect your power of concentration and may lead to a weakened immune system. As a result, you cannot give in your 100% at work. The best solution to this is to get out of the toxic situation as soon as possible. However, for various commitments and obligations, it becomes difficult for you to leave your job all of a sudden. So, we suggest you fight and survive through the ordeal and emerge out as a winner. Here is a list of DOs and DONTs that you need to keep in mind to fight back the toxicity at your workplace. DOs Be positive Instead of whining about the workload or the ambience and the people in it, try to see the good in everybody. Irrespective of all the bullying and misbehaviour, you go about with a smile on your face and try to appreciate others. Yes! I know â€" however easy it may sound, practicing it in real life can be quite a challenging task. But you must understand that continuous exposure to negativity can make you feel even more miserable. Try and keep yourself away from all kinds of negative discussions. Since you are a victim of toxicity, do not engage in speaking ill of others. Instead, we suggest you draw up a list of all the good points about your job. Enjoy the free coffee and Wi-Fi and the gym facilities. This will help you shift your perception and feel more relaxed. Be yourself While a healthy dose of competition can promote efficiency, aggressive pulling down and snitching amongst co-workers can create a disturbing environment and can disrupt harmony. Rather than being a part of the ruthless rat race, stay away from the bandwagon and do your work at your own pace. Do not try to bring others down and sincerely try to bond with your colleagues. While in the malignant ambience, do not lose sight of who you are. Be true to yourself and do not give in. Easier said than done, I know. But, keep up the fight and do not let the virulent people around you make you one of them. If anything, you should grow stronger so that you can transcend all levels of bullying so that none of this can affect you. Make allies and stop the war An average working hour’s span is of 8 hours. Imagine bottling up every emotion and not talking to anyone from 9 to 5? That is just impossible! You cannot stay without interacting with people around you for that long a period. But if you feel that the people around you are selfish and judgmental, we suggest you build your own tribe within the office to deal with them. Cornering yourself in the office and isolating yourself completely can just add on to your stress. When you have someone in the office that you can vent out your feelings to, it becomes easier to deal with the bad air within the office. When we say a friend, it does not mean someone you can hang around with. But someone you can trust enough to share a wavelength with. Support each other and understand each others frustrations. When you get a partner, it helps you to handle the ordeal in a better way. Create your own space To counter the negativity surrounding you, create your own zone where you can feel more relaxed. Adorn your workstation or cubicle with things that make you happy. Pinup photos of your friends and people who matter to you. This will help you deal with anxiety triggers and exude positive energy. Write your goals on post-its and pin them up on your dashboard to remind yourself what you are there for. Hang posters of inspirational sayings that soothe you. Do everything to tell yourself who you are and to feel loved and appreciated while in a toxic work zone. Try to find a cubicle away from the din of your colleagues so that you can miss out on the negative discussions that go on all the time. Communicate more Proper communication can solve problems in a jiffy! Do not underestimate the value of excellent communication. Instead of keeping things bottled up, just go up to the person in question and sort it out. Keeping things within will make it grow bigger, and if you do not let it out, it can cause a lot of mental stress. At times, a candid conversation can immediately sort out something without any complications. So communicate more to simplify things around you. DON’Ts Take your work home Quite recently, Amazon India’s head, Amit Agarwal, has asked employees not to respond to office emails after their working hours. It is okay to choose to work overtime, but that should not be a reoccurring thing. Do not take the pressure home as that will mean you are bringing the negativity along with you into your home. This might affect your work â€" life harmony and can add on to your stress. Continuous slogging can give rise to anxiety and can make you bitter. So keep your workload to the ambit of your workplace and devote enough time to your social life too. Go out and enjoy a movie or a night out with friends to unwind. Do things that will help you to forget about the problems you face at work?   Believe everything you hear Since a toxic workplace is all about backbiting and spreading rumours, we suggest you do not focus on everything you hear around you. It is just a part of grapevine, and everything is just a game of Chinese whispers. So take it easy and learn to differentiate facts from stories. Do not believe everything that you hear about yourself and do not take them to heart and brood over it. Instead of wasting your energy to locate the sources of the rumour, just breathe easy and learn to ignore such stories. Believe something only when you see or hear it for yourself. Participate In Drama Keep unnecessary drama as far as you can. Do not welcome unwanted discussions amongst your co-workers about another colleague. Steer clear from such people who over criticise and shame people. To keep the negativity at bay, do not engage in gossip. Keep in mind that you too can be their victim once you turn your back on them. Whenever you feel that things are becoming complicated, choose to step out of the group and walk away. If you still cannot deal with the stress, you can talk to the HR department for a solution. They will undoubtedly have a way out for you. And, if you think that the stress has taken a toll on you, we recommend you to seek professional help from a counselor. At the end of the day, remember that you are a fighter and you can see through the bad time! Author Bio: Shirley Brown, a career coach and counselor, extends Dissertation help to students of psychology through Myassignment Help. Besides being a passionate artist, she loves to travel around the world.

High Notes High Fashions What to Wear to Your Next Audition

High Notes High Fashions What to Wear to Your Next Audition Sign up successful This is a topic that many students don’t ask their voice teachers  about because, let’s face it, in a 45- to 60-minute lesson there is a lot to cover! On the day of an audition there is a lot to think about, such as your song choice, dealing with nerves, remembering to bring specific materials (headshot and resume), hoping the pianist plays your piece to your liking, memory issues, and, of course, how you look and feel. Having one or two “go to” audition outfits lets you have one less thing to think about on the day you have that really important audition. Looking and feeling great is just an added bonus to having a successful audition! Here are some helpful tips on choosing what to wear to an audition Tips for Women • Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life Well, a pair of shoes can make or break your audition! Make sure your feet feel comfortable and that you can sing comfortably. Keep in mind that adding four-inch heels can change vocal posture. Be sure to practice in your shoes before your audition! • Say Yes to the Dress! When choosing a dress, make sure you feel comfortable enough to sing in it and you have plenty of room to breathe! It is a good idea when buying a dress to breathe deeply in the dressing room before you buy it, and also make sure it complements your body type. Black is always in style and is slimming to every body type. Things to avoid include large prints and extremely bright colors (which can distract a judge), and a dress that is either too tight or too short. • I wear the pants For those who sing operatic mezzo roles, consider a classic blazer, solid-colored dressy blouse, and black slacks. When wearing this type of audition outfit make sure your pants are ironed and/or dry cleaned to avoid wrinkles or looking messy. •  Good hair day:  Please keep your hair off your face! There is nothing worse than watching someone brush their hair away from their face constantly during a song. Great options include wearing your hair half up, a bun, or a fancy ponytail. • Maybe it’s Maybelline Makeup is just another part of putting a look together. When applying makeup for an audition, make sure it is natural and that you still look like your headshot picture! • Put a ring on it: Jewelry is a personal choice and statement. If you choose to wear jewelry with your outfit, make sure, again, you feel comfortable in it. Also remember that less is more.  Things to avoid include jewelry that feels heavy on the neck or ears, long dangling earrings, very sparkly necklaces, and earrings that could distract the judge. If youre wearing bracelets, avoid ones that have charms that make noise. You want the judge to be focusing on the beauty of your voice, not your bling! Tips for Men • Check your fly: When choosing a suit, make sure it is tailored to your body type! Choose a dress shirt and/or tie that complements the color of the suit. If youre wearing a three-piece suit, make sure the vest and pants have plenty of room so you feel comfortable enough to sing and breathe! If you have gained or lost weight make sure to take your suit in for the appropriate alterations. • Dressy/casual: Not wearing a suit? A great pair of jeans, dress shirt, and tie are sometimes all you need! Just make sure the jeans are in great condition jeans with holes look sloppy and unprofessional,  and could potentially give an air of not caring about the audition. • Shoes are a girl thing: Though this may be true, a pair of great dress shoes can really complement a suit. Be sure the shoes are not too tight and are comfortable to stand and sing in! There is nothing worse then putting on shoes that are too tight. When wearing dress shoes make sure to wear a nice dress sock that is pulled up. Happy shopping happy singing! Chelsea F. teaches singing, piano, and music theory in New York, NY. She holds a  Bachelor of Music from Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music. Learn more about Chelsea here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  Amgad Fahmi Photography

Should I Take the ACT or SAT

Should I Take the ACT or SAT Both the College Board and ACT Inc. have revealed redesigns and updates to their exams: the SAT and ACT, respectively. With so many changes to these classic standardized college entrance exams, it might be challenging to decide whether you should take the ACT or SAT (or both!). Gone from the SAT are obscure vocabulary words and science section, and the ACTs optional essay now requires more analytical input and a more comprehensive reading test. However, some key differences between the exams remain, and some students skills will align more closely with those tested on the SAT, while others skills will match better with the ACT. You may be asking yourself, Should I take the ACT or SAT? Choosing to take the ACT or SAT can depend on many factors, such as what types of subjects you excel at and if you are adept to retaining information while reading. Putting your focus on mastering one of the two tests can help maximize your chances of getting a high score. Should you take the ACT or SAT? Read on to find out. Should you take the ACT? Perhaps if you enjoy science. There is no science section on the new SAT. The ACT has a science section, one that is highly focused on your ability to interpret graphs and data. A strong understanding of science is not necessarily required, so long as you are able to do two things: perform basic math analyze tables and figures [RELATED: How to Create an ACT Prep Plan] However, science questions of any typegraph-based or otherwiseare more appealing to some students than others. If you are one of these students, you might prefer the ACT to the SAT. The opposite is also true: if you are easily intimidated by huge amounts of scientific data, you might want to take the SAT instead of the ACT. Should you take the SAT? Perhaps if you like math. The ACT still allows students to use a calculator on all math questions. While the SAT allows a calculator for some math questions, it now also includes fill-in-the-blank questions and other problems that require written work that must be completed without the aid of a calculator. [RELATED: How to Create an SAT Prep Plan] Students who excel in math and can typically perform problems quickly without a calculator might do best taking the SAT. Conversely, students who are not as strong in math compared to other subjects, or students who are intimidated by math problems that dont allow calculator use, might want to opt for the ACT. Should you take the ACT? Perhaps if you excel in reading. Reading questions on the new SAT will almost always provide you with the line numbers in which you can find the information you need to answer them. And even in cases where the line number isnt provided, its relatively easy to find the information you need because the questions progress in order with the passages youve read. On the ACT, however, reading questions are ordered randomly and usually do not provide line numbers with relevant details. So, it can be challenging to find details in the passage that correspond with the question. If you excel at naturally retaining information as you read, you may do quite well on the ACT. If you have trouble with remembering the information you read or going back into written passages to find details, youll probably prefer taking the SAT. Should you take the ACT or SAT? Consider the colleges to which youre applying. Dont forget this important piece! If youre a high school student thinking about these exams, youre probably thinking about the college application process as well. Go through your short list of schools and do a little research. Which ones accept only the ACT or only the SAT as part of the admissions process? Do any of them accept both tests? Make sure you understand the admissions requirements of your prospective colleges before making any big decisions about the ACT or SAT. The answer could be right in front of you when browsing a colleges website! With their latest rounds of changes, the SAT and ACT have a lot of new material to consider. However, key content differences between the exams remain, and some students may prefer one to the other. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses and understanding what your prospective colleges require, you can choose to focus on studying for the test thats most closely aligned with your skills and goals. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

4 Ways Parents Can Aid the Early Admissions Process

4 Ways Parents Can Aid the Early Admissions Process The transition from high school to college may be difficult for students, but it can also be a trying time for parents. There is emotional and even financial stress, often accompanied by a feeling of helplessness. As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your student get into college. Your role in the early admissions process is especially important. Here are four ways parents can aid the early admissions process and support their teen during this time of transition. 1. Understanding early admissions processes While not all colleges offer early admissions, many do. At these schools, students can choose to apply early, which means they also receive an admissions decision early. In these cases, it may be easier for students to gain acceptance to a school. Early admissions rules and regulations can vary by school, so it will be essential that you check out the specific processes at each school. Your student will also want to work with his or her guidance counselors to make sure everyone is on the same page. Some schools require that you only apply to one early admissions school, some are binding, and some can be declined but only within a deadline. Make sure you and your student have all the facts before making an important decision. 2. Help your student explore colleges Early admissions is a great option for students who are absolutely certain that they want to attend a particular college. As a parent, you can help your student make that decision. Support your child in his or her search for a college. You may help your student arrange campus visits (and transportation to and from them), interviews with professors, and tours of prospective departments. While you dont want to take the lead, offering support to your student can be invaluable during this time. 3. Help your student make a plan for financing education One of the advantages of seeking admission to a number of schools is that it allows your family to compare different financial aid packages. If your student applies early decision, you may miss this opportunity. As a parent, you can help your student by sorting out possible solutions for paying for college, should he or she be admitted. Sit down, outline a number of scenarios, and apply with a financial plan at the ready. 4. Remind your student to focus on his or her current classes For students who are admitted to a college early, focusing on high school can be a bit of a challenge. Hypothetically, your students current grades are good after all, he or she may have already been admitted to a prestigious school by applying early decision. But this also means that your student may feel that his or her senior year is less important. Of course, this isnt true many scholarships are dependent on a students performance over all of his or her years in high school. Plus, some schools may require a student to maintain a certain grade point average all the way through high school. As a parent, help your student combat senioritis by reminding him or her that this year is equally important as those leading up to college admissions. By following these general guidelines, parents can aid the early admissions process for their likely overwhelmed student. Remember that early admissions isnt for everyone in fact, only around 450 schools offer this option. Identify scenarios with your student and determine if it is the best option for your family. Then, offer your support to your student however it is needed. This can feel like a difficult time, but applying early admissions has a wealth of benefits and your stress levels may decrease significantly once your student is in!

CPA Certified Public Accountant

CPA Certified Public Accountant Where Can I Use My CPA Qualification? ChaptersHow Many CPA Exams Are There?Who Should Consider Completing the CPA?If you want to work in the accounting industry, then the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification is one you may have read about.Although not every accountant you meet will be a CPA, if you do meet a CPA, then that means that they are a trained accountant.There are quite a few differences between a CPA and an accountant that has no specific qualifications. The most common differentiators are:Certified or chartered accountants have to meet specific educational and professional experience requirements; andCertified or chartered accountants must pass specific examinations before they can become a certified or chartered accountant â€" accountants with no membership of a professional body often may not have completed any accountancy-specific exams.There are tens of thousands of accountants across the world that hold the title of CPA, so you’d be in good company if you did decide to study this qualificatio n.The CPA is typically associated with the USA, so the designation carries particular weight if you happen to work in the United States, or would like to do so in the future. According to the AICPA’s website, “the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the national professional organization for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States.” The AICPA has in excess of 430,000 members.Having the CPA qualification can also be  helpful in your future career. This is because it is well regarded across a broad range of industries. For example, with the CPA you could choose to work in public accounting or in industry. Equally, there are roles for a CPA in the public sector, including roles within the government and not-for-profit organisations.Learn about the benefits of being a chartered accountant in the UK...If you're serious about improving your career prospects in the accounting industry, then the CPA qualification could really be worth researc hing. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, jackmac34, Pixabay)Business Environment and Concepts;Financial Accounting and Reporting; andRegulation.You are given a year and a half (18 months) to complete all the sections. You are deemed to pass a section if you score at least 75 on the exam.There are numerous opportunities to sit the exams throughout the year, with testing windows running quarterly from January to December. For more details on the specific dates for testing windows, it’s best to consult the AICPA’s website.The vast majority of CPA candidates will sit their tests in the United States, but there are a number of international test centres where overseas candidates can sit the exam.For example, if you are a citizen or resident of the United Kingdom, then there are a number of test centres in England, Ireland, Scotland, as well as Germany that you could attend.Given the requirement to score at least 75 on each section in order to pass the exam overall, it's definitely worth spendin g ample time revising and preparing for the exams if you do decide to pursue the CPA as a qualification.Although it may mean that you have to juggle a variety of commitments, whether they relate to your social life, work life, or home life, the best chance you can give yourself to pass the exam is to ensure that you have spent enough time going through and understanding the material.Learn about the ICAEW, an additional chartered accountant qualification...Aside from the examination requirements, it’s worth bearing in mind that a prospective CPA will also have to fulfil education and professional experience requirements, in addition to passing the Uniform CPA Exam.Note that in the case of the CPA, every state and jurisdiction has their own requirements when it comes to professional experience and education, so it’s worth checking what requirements you would have to comply with according to where you are based.It’s very common to have to meet a combination of exam, work experien ce, and education requirements before you can qualify and become a member of a recognised accounting body, and so in that sense the CPA’s membership requirements are very similar to what you may expect if you wanted to become, for example, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) or another similar professional body.Additionally, it is also common to be taught and even examined in areas such as ethics and ethical behaviour  when working towards becoming a chartered accountant.These are especially important should you decide to specialise by becoming a Certified Fraud Examiner...Be prepared to put a lot of work into revising for the Uniform CPA Exam if you dream of passing it in your first sitting. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, mohamed_hassan, Pixabay)Who Should Consider Completing the CPA?If you are looking to pursue a career in accounting, then you may have heard about the CPA qualification.Whether you should undertake the CPA is a question of you r own personal circumstances and where you would like to see your career develop.Where Do You See Your Career Taking You?There are a few key items to note when it comes to the CPA. Firstly, and most importantly, the CPA is an American accountancy qualification. This means that it may not be as suitable for those who would like to work as an accountant in the UK compared to other qualifications, such as the ACA and the ACCA.If, on the other hand, you would like to work in the United States, or know that you will spend a good portion,  or the majority of your working life over there, then it may be worthwhile pursuing the CPA over other qualifications.Generally, the CPA is very highly regarded in the United States, whereas in the UK, having a qualification such as the ACA is likely to be more highly regarded when it comes to proving your skills and advancing your career prospects.The other thing to note is that, while the CPA, ACA, ACCA, and other accountancy qualifications are often associated with just the accountancy profession, the fact is that these qualifications can be helpful in the wider areas of  accounting and business.For instance, individuals working in taxation may also have a CPA or ACA qualification to their name, while others may work in the field of audit. The point to note is that having a qualification such as the CPA is a great way to highlight that you are well-versed in matters relating to accounting, such as accounting standards, but that you are also able to utilise these skills and your credentials within areas aside from pure accounting.What about going a step further; becoming a Certified Financial Analyst?If you would like to work in the United States during your career, then the CPA may be a great qualification for you to pursue. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, TheDigitalArtist, Pixabay)Don't Be Afraid To Ask For AdviceUltimately, the choice of which qualification, if any, to pursue is yours to make. If you do need some further advice, it†™s always a good idea to reach out to someone who is able to provide first-hand experience of the various qualifications on offer and see what their opinion is over whether you should study the CPA.Equally, speaking to someone such as a careers counsellor at your school or university should also give you a chance to talk through your situation and your career aspirations, and hopefully find some clarity over which qualification is right for you.If you do decide to study the CPA or think that it’s something that you’d like to pursue in the future, it may be worthwhile trying to develop the core skills that successfully certified accountants need in their working life.These skills are hugely diverse but can include things such as:Good communication and interpersonal skills;A strong analytical mindset;Knowledge of up-and-coming technologies that might impact the accounting or auditing industry; andAn understanding of what makes businesses tick.You may want to know, for instance, th e benefits of having a CMA qualification...Of course, any future accountant should also ensure that their numerical skills are strong. If you feel like you would like some extra help to get your mathematical knowledge up to scratch, or would like to learn about business studies and economics more generally, then you could reach out to an accounting tutor near me at Superprof for personalised lessons designed to help you achieve the learning outcome you require.Regardless of whether you're currently at school or university, there is a range of Superprof tutors who are able to offer lessons designed to help you understand basic accounting concepts, or develop your numerical ability, at a pace that works for you.You can find tutors based locally by entering your postcode, although it's also easy to find tutors that are happy to offer online-online lessons. You can also narrow down your search by selecting which subjects you would like to hire a tutor for. Lessons can be one to one, alt hough group lessons or workshops are also available, so it’s a case of finding a teaching environment that works for you.Discover now how to put that accounting degree you worked so hard for to work for you!

How to Write a Thank You Letter After an Interview

How to Write a Thank You Letter After an Interview Why You Should (and How to) Write an Interview Thank You Letter ChaptersWhy Write a Letter?Writing an Actual LetterSending a Thank You EmailWhat Not to Write in Your Thank You NoteNervous and uncertain â€" or, we hope, confident and assured, you sailed through your first-ever phone interview. You even made sure to ask the critical question in response to your interviewer’s ‘questions for me?’ query: “Where do we go from here?”For that brilliant question, you got the standard, if temporising answer: “We have several more job candidates to talk to…”.Hiring managers are very good at not giving a glimmer of hope to any interviewee; even the “What are your salary expectations?” question should not be construed as an indication that you will get the job.What your prospective employers are waiting for is your next step. Do you know what it is?  A well-written thank-you note!Studies show that only about a quarter of all job applicants actually send a thank-you letter after their interview.Those who are negligent of that small duty dep rive themselves of a further opportunity to raise their profile and keep their name at the forefront of their interview panel’s considerations.Your Superprof cannot bear for you to miss any opportunity for advancement; that is why we’ve put this article together on the politics of thanking and how it should be done.Forget Miss Manners; this advice with have you covered!You might argue that an interviewer’s job is to conduct interviews of people who sent in applications; therefore it should not be incumbent on you to thank them for doing so.Might we infer by that that you wouldn’t thank a server for bringing your food in a restaurant, a shop clerk for helping you find the very thing you were looking for and your family for lavishing gifts on you for your graduation?Some hardened recipients of such benevolence would insistently aver that, indeed, you should not have to thank people for giving you your due or merely doing their job.However, the majority of us reflect on all of those painstaking thank-you cards our parents made us write after reaping any holiday bounty, to those who thought enough of us to give us a gift. We might consider that early conditioning for a widely-accepted social norm. Handwritten notes have a special style but, if you write one, make sure your handwriting is neat! Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayWhy should thanking a prospective employer be outside of that norm?After all, they hold the key to our possible future employment; treating them in a socially acceptable manner should be par for the course.Far more than merely thanking them for their time, your thank-you note serves you in other ways.Imagine the plight of the hiring manager: desk full of more- or less-well-written resumes and cover letters, scanning each one for signs of potential suitability for the job and compatibility with their corporate culture.Out of possibly hundreds of applications â€" every one of which s/he must read, only a fraction of them might be deemed suitable for further scrutiny.And then, there are the interviews. How many job candidates will s/he talk with? Where do you fall in? Were you the first, somewhere in the middle… dead last?In this whirlwind of information that s/he is subjected to, how can you be sure your name will stand out? A thank-you note is the best way to keep yourself visible amid the storm.It gives you the chance to bring up things you might have forgotten in the interview or expound on a topic the interviewer touched on. It also proves to them that you have taken time to reflect on the interview and have further thoughts you’d like to share.Just do it carefully; consider the ‘what not do to’ segment at the end of this article.Do you have any tips for people working to land their first job?Writing an Actual LetterIn pondering your interview follow-up, why not consider a typed letter? After all, you’ve already typed up your cover letter and curriculum vitae; would printing and sending another letter hurt?Although written letters are more in-line with face to face interviews, nothing says you can’t send such a missive, even if time would argue against it: by the time your intended recipient reads it, you might alread y be on Round Two of the interview process.Still, should you decide that this is the format for your demonstration of courtesy and appreciation, here are a few simple rules to follow:Follow business letter formatting but omit the subject line. Be sure to write your interviewer’s name, not ‘To Whom it may Concern’!Make reference to the position you applied forTouch on a specific aspect of the interview â€" you might expound on an answer you gave, for exampleIndicate again that you have researched the company by reflecting on an aspect of its mission statement or the work done there.Sign off with ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Warm Regards’ rather than ‘For Your Consideration’ or, worse: ‘Cheers’Your letter should not be more than one page long; remember that HR managers are busy and might not have a lot of time to read any correspondence. You should send your letter no later than one day after your interview.Your turn to chime in: what is the best formula for interview-winning cover letters? Make sure you format your post interview thank you email; your interviewer might read it on her phone Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabaySending a Thank You EmailTime and trends are bucking the quaint tradition of mailing letters; these days, communication is all about convenience and speed.In your case, just coming off your phone interview, speed is of the essence.The hiring manager is not waiting for any thank-you letters, emailed or otherwise; it’s quite possible s/he is already talking with the next job applicant by the time you get your thoughts in order and start typing.What do you think the reaction would be if s/he returns to his/her workstation to check email after that interview, and sees your name pop up?An electronic interview thank-you note takes a lot of the guesswork out of drafting a thank-you letter but you should exercise care in your writing and formatting.First, what will you write about, besides phrases that show your appreciation?Hopefully, you followed the adv ice from our ‘How to prepare for a phone interview’ article and took copious notes during your phone interview, especially of what your interviewer said. If so, it is time to put them to work.Review your interview notes to find something specific you said during the interview that could use more clarification, or that you especially liked. For instance, your interviewer might have said something that particularly resonates with you.The first paragraph of your thank-you email should contain ‘Thank you for taking the time to discuss with me aspects of the job I applied for.’ and more in that vein.Your second paragraph should touch on something s/he said: ‘When you said ____, I really couldn’t help but think that this position is perfect for me because _____.’. In other words, draw another connection between yourself and your job.A third paragraph might clarify something you said during the interview or, perhaps, reiterate that you understand something s/he explained to y ou.A ‘Sincerely’ closing and you’re done!Also, discover more about preparing for a phone interview… Whether a hand-written or email thank you, make sure the contents and format are good before sending! Image by Andrian Valeanu from PixabayWhat Not to Write in Your Thank You NoteNow that you’re completely sold on the idea of writing thank-you notes, we throw caution into the mix.1. Less is more: no matter how lofty your ideas, try to keep them concise. Express yourself in short paragraphs, not long-winded dissertations â€" hiring managers have little time to untangle winding, convoluted thoughts.2. Don’t write just because convention says you have to; as always, sincerity is key. A thoughtful follow-up that addresses a specific point or topic discussed in the interview is far more appropriate than a hollow ‘thank you for your time’. It will be better received, too!3. Avoid copying: a common ‘complaint’ of hiring managers who conduct panel interviews is that everyone is treated to the same ‘thank you’. Rather than CC’ing everyone you think might enjoy hearing from y ou, write an original letter to each one. If that seems too much, write either the entire panel one letter or address it only to the lead interviewer.In that same vein, don’t copy a letter you found online and send it!4. Asking for social media connections: It’s a good idea to encourage further contact. It’s a bad idea to do so in your thank-you letter, especially if said media is Facebook or Instagram.Professional sites such as LinkedIn are only marginally better but you still shouldn’t encourage social media connections this early in the hiring process.5. Going over why you think you bombed: a thank-you letter is not the way to wheedle or explain your perceived interview shortcomings. Such tactics smack of the naughty child who swears s/he could be better if only s/he were given another chance â€" and will be received in kind.6. Formatting your thank-you email like a business letter. An email should look like an email, not an electronic business letter. You don’t need to put your contact information, the date, the company’s address or a subject line in the email body.And, as always, proofread before you send. In fact, get a few pairs of eyes on your thank-you letter; you never know what three people might miss that a fourth will catch.Now, discover how you too can have an outstanding resume…