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Reading Response week 1

pkamdar's picture
Thu, 06/14/2007 - 04:04 — pkamdar

Looking at the table of contents, I have a clear picture of what exactly I will be learning from the course. The main focus would be on how to write a specific and particular resume and a cover letter and how to communicate formally in today’s world. Looking at Part 4 of the book, I think citing sources is going to help me allot in the future. Citing sources is an essential part of any research work that we do. I am sure in my future job, I will have a lot of research work and taking someone else’s idea, and not citing the source would be ethically wrong. In the field of biochemistry, conducting research in a specific way is also important. Part 3 of the book will help me in that. I will find myself more work oriented after this course. Currently the research that I do and the citing, I don’t feel that is up to the mark so I think this course will polish all those skills.
Of course, another main part of the course would include writing a resume and a cover letter. I believe that the first impression is the last impression and hence having the best foot forward is very essential. Writing a perfect and specific resume is very important. I have never applied for an actual job where my resume would play a big role; hence I will really use this information for the future. I always feel there is so much that I want to write on a resume, but I was never sure what to put down and what not too. A resume should be such that the employer should be impressed looking at it at the first glance. Specific format is also necessary and I believe this course will strongly help me in that. I plan to apply for internships next summer and cover letter will be needed for that. I really like how every single aspect in the book is covered with specificity and with a good example.
I also feel that minute mistakes like punctuations and grammatical errors that we make in the resume and the cover letter will cost us allot. I need to focus on these small skills too that are covered in part 9, 10 and 11.
Overall this course would brush and polish every skill that is required to interact with the corporate world. After this course, I feel I would be able to even write a professional email with the perfection. So next time, when I have to email anyone formally, I don’t have to proof read my emails four times. Small things such as emails and letters also matter allot in today’s world and my aim is to be perfect at them because they are the prime mode of communication.

Comments

Thu, 06/14/2007 - 19:12 — aurban

Citing Your Sources

Citing your sources is something that you must do. Plagiarism of another person’s words or ideas is completely wrong. In the research lab that I work in back at school, we have weekly lab meetings. In one of these meetings, we actually found a paper that had been published where the entire introduction had been copied from the work our post doc had previously had published. It was a huge deal! He contacted the publishers immediately about it, but that was the last I had heard since I left for summer break. As for the content of this course, I also think that it will “fine-tune” all of our writing skills to help make us successful in the business world. By the way, it is “a lot” not “allot.” I don’t mean to be rude, I just wanted to be helpful.
Thu, 06/14/2007 - 21:12 — amwillis
amwillis's picture

citing sources

I also agree citing sources is so pertinent. Also at times can be somewhat difficult, if you are not aware of the appropriate format to use. Many times I have had a hard time citing sources, because I forgot to write down the correct information or I just didn't know which format to use while citing sources. Although sometimes difficult it is very necessary to cite your sources. Especially in today's world. Many people get a lot of work off the internet and never cite their work, and come to find out it may be someone elses work that they are copying. You always have to remember to cite work! Alayna Willis
Thu, 06/14/2007 - 22:18 — squasny
squasny's picture

Resume Errors

I agree with how much a mistake in a resume can hurt someone. Purdue offers many clinics to have people critic and check our resumes. I don’t really feel that there is an excuse to have any errors because of the many sources we are provided. I could understand from an employer’s perspective how they may feel about an applicant that has errors on their resume. I know from past experience when I would help my dad hire employees by screening the resumes for him, when I would see resumes or cover letters with errors it creates a negative impression the applicant. The negative impression will most likely cause an employer to stop reading and just eliminate that application.
Sat, 06/16/2007 - 14:33 — terr4741

Reply

Resumes are very important. Having a resume that stands out is just as important.
Fri, 06/15/2007 - 14:07 — Suchet
Suchet's picture

Citing Resources/Resumes

I agree that citing resources is very important because it would be considered plagiarism if we took some one else is work and counted it as ours. I also agree with him when he says that cover letters and resumes play a very important role in getting a job. If a person does not have a good resume he is most likely not going to get the job. Even if the person is really qualified for the job and does not have a good resume meaning he didn’t do it properly is most likely not going to get the job. Having put the resume in a good format is certainly a boost when the employer looks at it.
Fri, 06/15/2007 - 14:46 — bpeppler
bpeppler's picture

Response

You brought up good points throughout this response. It is definitely important to make sure you cite your sources, and not only citing them, but citing them correctly. Even in school we hear of the repercussions for plagarism, and I can be so severe as getting kicked out of school, which really puts into perspective how important it really is. Also I am in agreement how we must make sure we tweak all are business documents and read over them a couple times to make sure we didn't make careless grammatical errors, I'm sure nothing looks worse to a potential employer than a resume that is poorly put together. I like to proofread everything a couple of times too just to make sure everything is sounding alright, especially for a blog that everyone has access too.
Sat, 06/16/2007 - 14:32 — terr4741

reply

I believe that citing is the hardest part of writing. There are so many different ways to cite and procedures for different cites. The book hopefully will clarify the differences.
Sat, 06/16/2007 - 14:30 — terr4741

Reply

The book is a great source of help for this class as is every book that is needed for any class. I believe that book could be better with more examples of resumes and cover letters though. I believe that not everyone wants to write their resume and cover letters in the format from the book, but the example is suffiecient.
Sat, 06/16/2007 - 21:57 — kim264

Comment

The guidline for grammatical errors and punctuation was helpful to me too. Since I don't have work experience yet, not only the resume and coverletter information but also the white paper and memo information were every helpful to figure out what I am supposed to write at work in the future. I agree that small mistakes in professional document cost alot. I expect to learn how to conduct my job in more professional way by getting used to business writing and research skill. In addition, since I am not confident of how to refer the sources, part 4 teaches me in that aspect.