Tuesday, April 22, 2014

美帝找工作攻略

因为之前遇到很多问我找工作问题的同学,就想干脆写出来好了。一方面方便大家,另一方面也是我对我自己的一个总结。
其实这篇攻略说不上什么真正的攻略,比起各种牛人来说还是有差的,但是这是我能力范围内做到最好的,我也希望为广大在美帝奋斗的人们一点启发和建议。如果有误,也请大家指正。
1. 定位
我觉得这是整个过程中最重要的一步。定位。如何定位自己?自己适合做什么工作?专业能适用的行业有哪些?这些都是找工作之前要好好考虑清楚的。
就比如说我的专业金融。我来念书的时候对金融没有什么概念,以为就是去银行工作就是金融。但随着深入学习知道这个专业大致有2个大的分支:financial planner, financial analyst。
前者就是你为客户管理资产,给客户推荐股票基金养老保险等。后者是金融分析师,华尔街投行入门类工作,当然别的公司也有。
我自己不喜欢当planner,原因在于我不擅长与人打交道,我没有办法做到巧舌如簧的向人推销,自己是留学生更没有那个人脉去找客户。所以第一种就断了。
第二种呢,兴趣是有,但是能力不够。那个工作基本上就是corporate finance的东西,分析投资计划,市场行情,之前corporate finance那门课上的乱七八糟,想想以后要做这些东西,臣妾做不到啊!
对自己专业的工作定位是一方面,行业定位就是下一步了。你的雇主在哪里?
很多人会理所当然的觉得,学金融就去银行,公司,政府部门等,其实最需要金融人才的是广告公司。没想到吧?这个就是信息不对称所造成的问题了。
银行,四大,fortune 500每年收到不计其数的申请,但是真正行业的需求没有被看到。如果没有找到工作的同学们,可以多发挥想象力,不是,是搜索能力,找到那个真正需要你的地方,在有针对性的找。

2. 关系
关系是老生常谈了,中国讲关系,美国也一样。不是说你要送礼,这个关系更多的是你自己的人脉。有认识公司里面的员工,简历被选中参加面试的机率高很多。
很多学生就是在网上海投,这样中的几率真不高,但是如果你有的到一个内推的机会,成功几率大大增加,这是一个非常重要的途径。
我认识一个同学,非常孤傲,他认为他自己是金子总会发光,苦读书,死读书,然后抱怨找不到工作。我觉得大家心态一定要摆好,去和人交流,认识人,找到工作,不是一个不光彩的事。
本来找工作就是要推销自己,你让别人认识到你是个诚实可靠的人,当然这之后的事情就好办很多了。
从雇主的角度来说,在茫茫简历中能找到一个好下属是一个很难的事,有一个现成的潜在申请者在那里,为什么不用呢?一般员工推荐的,证明你有一个好口碑,一个能力,雇主当然愿意尝试给你一个机会。

如何建立人际关系呢?
这个话题可以写一本书,这本书就是《Never eat alone》。书中详细解释了各种建立人际关系的方法。
我觉得作为学生有几个途径是最好的方法:
a. 教授
学校的教授有时候会接到公司的邀请让他们推荐,他们就会发email出来问有没人愿意去。多和教授联系,让他们留心一下,说不定下次有工作的时候人家第一个就想到你了。当然你要在这门课上表现良好,积极发言,让教授留意到你。

b. 宣讲会
很多公司会在学校开宣讲会,介绍公司的业务和今年招聘机会。这是一个免费蹭吃的机会(喂!)当然这是一个发展关系的好机会。
听完演讲不要马上走,去和人家聊聊刚才的话题,介绍一下自己,也可以顺带问问人家今年有没有实习,公司的program是怎么样的,如果能带上简历让人家看一下就更好了。走的时候不要忘了要名片,在背后写上谈话detail,回家发thank you note。
c. 同学
同 学之间也会有很好的机会的。一般来讲,如果别的同学做过这家公司的实习,可以问一下面试细节,工作内容,还有联系人之类的,大部分同学都会告诉你。而且他 们也知道去什么时候,哪里申请合适,更重要的是,他们很可能是你未来的同事,合作伙伴,上下级,所以多和同学联系是很重要的。
d. 社团
有的社团会不定期的带学生去公司实地参观,或者带公司的人来学校,这也是一个好机会,多接触公司的人,就算什么都没有就当练习口语了。
3. 学习情况
学习情况不用说了,GPA越高越好呗。不同公司有不同的要求。一般3.3就不错了,四大一般大家都是3.5以上。有的公司用网申系统,GPA是一个门槛,到了就被选进去。竞争越激烈的公司,大家水平都高,就见仁见智了。
4. 课外活动
很多雇主会看课外活动,因为他们要招的不是一个学习很好的机器人,而是一个活生生的,能懂得活学活用的人。这个课外活动可以包括:相关社团,比赛,志愿者。如果你在当中还担任了某个角色就更好了,比如某社团主席,比赛名次等。
我建议加一个专业的社团,只要是和你专业有关的。美国学生从高中就参加各种活动,所以他们的表达能力,组织能力都很好,这也是我们的弱项之一。

5. 修改简历
这又是个可以写很多的话题。
简单来说,简历是求职的一个门面。在HR没有见到你之前,就这一张纸就代表了你所有的信息,不可不慎重。
我的建议是,写完一定要去改。不管你是去学校career center还是网上付费改,一定要表现的职业化,最大限度的体现你的长处。
注意简历长度就是一页。不管你有多有才,一页就是一页。CV才可以好几页。之前我有朋友说一页实在不够,就写到2页,我可以说,99%的人不会看第二页。甚至他们连第一页都不会看。因为你不专业。他们不会浪费时间在不专业的人上面。
学校的career center可以帮忙改简历,改完以后自己一定要好好读读,有没有哪里不清楚,(比如时间的连贯性,做过项目的细节)。
写过的简历要能自圆其说,要能回忆起当初参加比赛,活动项目的细节,因为雇主很可能就问你简历上面这个东西你当初怎么做的?一定要能讲出来。没做过的就不要瞎编了,能来面试你的都是人精,你能蒙过人家那么多年的阅历?
还有,有一些东西可以适度polish,这个不算欺骗,那是修饰,能让你显得更职业化。
比如下面这个例子:
Sending out flyer on campus and posting information online everyday to make sure finish the amount of task before deadline.
Building long-term relationship with local community by using social network and face to face contact to require consumers' feedback and reaction about our product, in order to collect enough information about developing products in next step.
哪一种更好?明显后者嘛。但是两者是一回事啊。因为第一个是你的responsibility,后者是你的skill。
有的学生会给不同的公司提供不同的简历因为不同公司有一些不同的要求。可以这么做,但大体的框架不会变,而且你要记着别投错了。
cover letter
这里就是一个简历的补充部分,如果简历里没有讲完的部分你认为有必要再让别人知道,可以在这里写。模板网上都有。这里就不说了。关键就是语气要诚恳,措辞职业化,联系方式清楚。
补充一下,简历上可以写一些你的专长兴趣,比如我有一个同学会说葡萄牙语,就被招去然后派到巴西实习了。

6. 投递简历
万事皆备,只欠东风了!投简历有很多方式,我介绍我经历过的几种吧~~~

a. 招聘会
校园招聘会应该是最直接的途径了。那天会人山人海,红旗招展,锣鼓喧天……
当然,你不能被免费的纪念品面前徘徊许久,一定要快准狠!
首先,学校会印一份报纸上面有这次参展的企业,招聘会前几天就要拿到,然后找出自己想要去的公司,先做一些调查:公司主要业务,近几年的发展趋势,等等。
当天,着装整齐,荣光焕发的你直奔会场。
我建议准备一个文件夹,一边放着简历,一边放公司传单。还有一支笔。这个很重要,因为手拿那么多东西到时候手忙脚乱很难堪。
和公司代表谈的时候要体现对公司的兴趣,自己曾经相关的经验,这个就是你平时的积累了。我自己是每天看新闻,关注行业趋势,这样随时都能和人聊一聊。
然后走了的时候要记得要名片,走到一个别人看不到的地方马上在名片背后写你们聊了什么,回家发email的时候有用。
经常这种活动就是好几个小时,中午饭来不及吃,也可以准备一些零食,(不要有异味的),中间出去吃一点马上回来。简历要准备充分,多印一些,我去年一个面试就是我发的最后一份简历中的。
那个企业我没有准备,因为他们的名字没来得及印上报纸。所以他们把简历要走后说我们之后会联系你。我以为是客套话我就走了。结果一个月后他们打电话来说要面试我。
招聘会也是一个展现个人才智的地方,如果你不自信,先找人练习一下自我介绍,能帮你缓解紧张,而且这个东西熟能生巧。越到后面越放的开了。
还有时间问题,最好一开场就进去,第一个人永远印象最深,如果能事先给公司打电话聊聊,然后第二天说我昨天和你们那谁谁聊过了,他们就会有印象。秋季招聘是最大的,春季就是一些小实习和工作了,所以秋季能锁定最好。

b. 网申
网申可以在一些主要的网站:monster,indeeds之类投,可以在公司网站上投。这个不说了,攻略也很多。
还有的人,会自己在网站上找公司领导的邮箱,自己直接发,说我对贵公司很有兴趣,但是我没有看到opening,我很想在这里工作,能不能看看给我一次机会?有的人会把简历转给HR,这样成功的几率也增加了。

还有一个很重要的途径:social network,真的有人在facebook,twitter上找到工作的,大公司都会开twitter之类的,大家多关注吧。
比较职业的是linkedin,通过这个网站完善个人资料,可以在上面找公司里面的校友,让他们推荐你进去也是一个方法。

7. 身份问题
因为H1B名额问题,很多国际学生抱怨公司不要他们。其实我觉得,牛人到哪里都能找到工作,所以问题是你能不能成为那个牛人。
有的公司直接列出来不要OPT,CPT学生,那就不要浪费时间了。去找要的公司。
有的公司会问你要sponsorship,有建议是一定说不要,到时候先干,让他们看到你的能力了,他们不想再花时间精力找人来,就会要你。

也有建议说一定要诚实,因为还是会有公司会坚决辞退,到时候留下一个不好的印象就不好了。我自己没有建议,你自己选择吧。
我是觉得可以这么说:我现在不用,我可以用OPT,但是之后我就需要办H1B,我相信贵公司会珍惜每一个人才的。如果他们不要你,那是他们的问题,一个公司如果因为这点钱都不出,以后你的福利,待遇也不会好到哪里去,还不如乘早另作打算。
而且不要因为身份问题就沮丧,这个东西是无法改变的,但是我们可以改变面对它的态度。

8. 心态
最后就是心态了,这个过程非常的折磨,大多数同学都是平时繁重的学业,还要抽时间投简历,面试,然后还要一次一次被打击。其实这就是磨练人的地方了,你这个时候能挺过来了,以后工作的压力也一定能挺过来。
我听过不少同学抱怨找不到,你简历投过一百封了吗?有没有和人交流,口语没问题吗?机遇永远只给有准备的人的。

也有的同学说:我先找找实习,不行了就回国。抱着这种心态的,多半找不到(除非是名校名专业),因为你没有全力以赴,该准备时不准备,毕业了才来着急,有用吗?
所以我这篇攻略最核心的就是,找工作就是要拼尽全力的一件事,摆正心态,储存实力,祝大家好运。

Friday, March 28, 2014

愚公移山

愚公移山的故事,见《列子》《汤问》篇:“太行、王屋二山,方七百里,高万仞。本在冀州之 南,河阳之北。北山愚公者,年且九十,面山而居。惩山北之塞,出入之迂也,聚室而谋日:吾与汝毕力平险,指通豫南,达于汉阴,可乎?杂然相许。其妻献疑 日:以君之力,曾不能损魁父之丘,如太行王屋何?且焉置土石?杂日:投诸渤海之尾,隐土之北。遂率子孙荷担者三夫,叩石垦壤,箕畚运于渤海之尾。邻人京城 氏之孀妻,有遗男,始龀,跳往助之。寒暑易节,始一反焉。河曲智叟,笑而止之,日:甚矣,汝之不惠。以残年馀力,曾不能毁山之一毛,其如土石何?北山愚公 长息日:汝心之固,固不可彻,曾不若孀妻弱子。虽我之死,有子存焉;子又生孙,孙又生子;子又有子,子又有孙。子子孙孙,无穷匮也,而山不加增,何苦而不 平?河曲智叟亡以应。操蛇之神闻之,惧其不已也,告之于帝。帝感其诚,命夸娥氏二子负二山,一厝朔东,一厝雍南。自此,冀之南,汉之阴,无陇断焉。”

Monday, January 13, 2014

美国公民入籍100题


1.What is the supreme law of the land?
·The Constitution
:什么是美国最高法律?
:宪法.
2. What does the Constitution do?
·Sets up the government
:什么是宪法的作用?
:建立政府体系.
  3.The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the
   Constitution.  What are these words?
·We the People
:《宪法》的前三个字说明人民自治的概念说出这三个字?
:我们人民.
  4. What is an amendment?
   CHANG TO  Constitution 
问:什么叫修正案?
答:《宪法的》修正条款
5.What do we call the first ten amendments to te Constitution?
·The Bill of Rights 
问:什么是前十个修正案?在《宪法》中的。
答:人权法案。
 6.What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?***
·Speech
问:说出一个权力或自由,在第一修正案中的?
答:言论自由。
7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
·27
:有多少修正案,在宪法中?
  8.What did the Declaration of Independence do?
·Declared our independence (from Great Britain)
   U. S free from 
:说出独立宣言的作用为何?
答:宣告美国脱离英国而独立。
9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
·Life
·Liberty
问:说出两项权利----<独立宣言>中的?
答:生存的权利。
    自由的权利。    
  10.What is freedom of religion?
·You can practice any religion, or not a religion.
问:什么是宗教自由? 
答:你可信仰任何宗教,也可任何宗教都不信。
11.Wat is the economic system in the United States?***
·Market economy 也卡了密
问:什么样的经济制度---在美国?
答:市场经济。
12.What is the rule of law?
·Everyone must obey (follow) the law
问:法制是什么意思?
答:每个人必须遵守法律。
13.Name one branch(不乱吃) part of the government.***
·Congress
问:说出政府体制中的任何一个部分?
答:国会。
14.What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?扒窝
·Checks and balances 八林乐思
问:什么方法可防止政府变得权利太大?
答:制衡。
15.Who is in charge of the executive义可三得特 branch?
·The President
问:谁负责行政部门?
答:总统。
16.Who makes(美可思) federal laws?
·Congress
问:谁制定联邦法律?
答:国会。
 17.hat are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?***
·The Senate and House (of Representatives)
问:美国国会由哪两个部分组成?
答:参院及众院。 
18.How many U.S. Senators are there?
·100
问:有多少联邦参议员?
答:100
  19.We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
·  6
问:我们选联邦参议员多少年一次?
答:每六年.
20.Who is one of your states U.S. Senators?***
·Barbara Boxer
:说出一个你所在州的联邦参议员?
答:芭芭拉 鲍克赛 
21.The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
·435
问:在众议院中有多少有投票权的议员?
22.We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
· 2
问:我们选众议员要多少年一次?
23.Name your U.S. Representative.
·Judy Chu
问:说出你选区众议员的名字?
答:赵美心
  24.Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
·All people of the state
问:联邦参议员代表何人?
答:你所在州的人民。
25.Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
·(because) they have more people
问:为什么有些州的众议员比其他州多?
答:因为他们有众多的人口。
26.We elect a President for how many years?
· 4
问:我们选总统多少年一次?
27.In what month do we vote for President?***
·November
问:在那个月我们选总统?
答:11月。
28.What is the name of the President of the United States
now?***
·Barack Obama
问:谁是现任总统?
答:巴拉克 奥巴马。
29.What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
·Joe Biden
问:谁是副总统?
: 乔 拜登。  
30.If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
·The Vice President
问:如果总统不能服务,谁成为总统?
答:副总统。
31.If both the Present and the Vice President can no longer serve,   becomes President?
·The Speaker of the House
问:如果总统和副总统都不能服务,谁成为总统?
答:众议院议长。
32.Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
·The President
问:谁是三军统帅?
答:总统。
33.Who signs bills to become laws?
·The President
问:谁签署法案成为法律?
答:总统。
34.Who vetoes bills?
·The President
问:谁否决法案?
答:总统。
35.What does the President’s Cabinet do?
·Advises the President
问:总统的内阁做什么事?
答:向总统提出建议。
36.What are two Cabinet-level positions?
·Secretary of State
·Secretary of Labor
问:说出两个内阁的部长级职位?
答:国务卿   劳工部长
37.What does the judicial branch do?
·Explains laws
问:司法部门做什么事?
答:解释法律。
38.What is the highest court in the United States?
·The Supreme Court
问:什么是最高的法院?
答:联邦最高法院.
39.How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
· (9)
: 有多少大法官在联邦最高法院?
40.Who is the Chief Justice of the United States?
·John Roberts
41.Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
·To print money

问:在我们的宪法下面,一些权力属于联邦政府,说出一项权力属于联邦政府的?
答:印钞票。
42.Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states.  What is one power of the states?
·Give a driver’s license
问:在我们的宪法下面,一些权力属于州政府,说出一项权力属于州政府的。
答:提供驾照。
43.Who is the Governor of your state?
·Arnold Schwarzenergger
问:谁是州长---你居住的州?
答:阿诺 斯瓦辛格。
44.What is the capital of your state?***
·Sacramento
问:哪里是首都---你居住的州?
答:沙加缅度。
45.What are the two major political parties in the United States?***
·Democratic and Republican
问:说出两个主要政党?
答:民主党及共和党。
46.What is the political party of the President now?
·Democratic
问:说出属于什么政党---现任总统?
答:民主党。
47.What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
·Nancy Pelosi
问:说出议长的名字---在国会众议院的?
答:南希 婆洛西
48.There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote.  Describe one of them.
·Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote)
问:有四个修正案在宪法中---关于谁可投票。试举一个。
答:公民18岁以上可投票。
49.What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?***
·Vote
问:说出一个责任---只有公民有的。
答:投票。
50.What is one right only for United States citizens?
·vote
问:说出一项权利----只有公民才有的?
答:投票权。
51What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
·Freedom of speech
·Freedom of worship
问:说出两个权利----任何一个住在美国的人?
答:言论自由    
宗教信仰自由
52.What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
·The United States
问:向什么表达忠诚---在我们宣誓效忠时?
答:美国。
53.What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
·Obey the laws of the United States
问:说出一个承诺---当你成为公民时?
答:遵守美国的法律。
54.How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?***
·(18) and older
问:多大年纪的公民可投票选总统?
答:18岁以上。
55.What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
·Vote
·Run for office
问:说出两个方法---美国人参与民主政治的?
答:投票。
竞选公职。
56.When is the last day you can send in federal income tax    forms?***
·April 15
问:何时是最后一天你可寄出联邦所得税表?
答:415
57.When must all men register for the Selective Service?
·At age eighteen (18)
问:何时---所有男人必须办理兵役登记?
答:18岁。
58.What is one reason colonists came to America?
·Freedom
问:说出一个理由----殖民者到美国来?
答:自由。
59.Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
·American Indians
问:谁已住在美国---在欧州人来之前?
答:美国印第安人。
60.What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
·People from Africa
问:那一群人被带到美国当奴隶卖?
答:来自非洲的人。
61.Why did the colonists fight the British?
·Because of high taxes
问:为什么殖民者与英国打仗?
答:因为高额税捐。
62.Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
·Thomas Jefferson
问:谁写的独立宣言?
答:托马斯 杰佛逊
63.When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
·July 4, 1776
问:何时独立宣言通过的?
答:741776
64.There were 13 original states. Name three.
·New York
·New Jersey  
·Maryland
问:有13 个殖民地----说出三个?
答:纽约   纽泽西   马里兰
65.What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
·The Constitution was written
问:什么事发生在制宪会议上?
答:拟定宪法。
66.When was the Constitution written?
·1787
问:何时宪法写成?
67.The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
·John Jay
问:“联邦论”支持通过美国宪法---举出一个作者?
答:江姐。
68.What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
·U.S. Diplomat
问:什么是班杰明  富兰克林著名的事?
答:美国外交官。
69.Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
·George Washington

问:谁是美国国父?
答:乔治 华盛顿
70.Who was the first President?***
·George Washington
:谁是第一任总统?
答:乔治 华盛顿。
71.What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
·Louisiana
问:什么领土是是美国从法国买的---1803年?
答:路易斯安纳。
72.Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
·Civil War
问:说出一个战争美国参与的---1800年代?
答:南北战争。
73.Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
·Civil War
问:说出一场战争---在南北之间的?
答:南北战争。
74.Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
·Slavery
问:说出一个引发美国内战的问题?
答:奴隶制度。
75.What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?***
·Freed the slaves
问:说出阿伯拉罕 林肯做的事情?
答:解放奴隶。
76.What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
·Freed the slaves
问:什么是解放宣言的用意?
答:解放奴隶。
77.What did Susan B. Anthony do?
·Fought for women’s rights
问:什么是苏三 B 安东尼做的事情?
答:为女权奋战。
78.Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
·World War II
问:说出一场战争---美国在1900年代参与的?
答:2
79.Who was President during World War I
·Woodrow Wilson?
问:谁是总统---在第一次世界大战?
答:乌得洛 威尔逊。
80.Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
·Franklin Roosevelt
问:谁是总统----在第二次世界大战?
答:富兰克林 罗斯富。
81.Who did the United States fight in World War II?
·JapanGermany and Italy
问:美国与谁打仗----在二战?
: 日本  德国  意大利。
82.Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
·World War II
问:在当总统之前,艾森豪是个将军,什么战争他参加了?
答:二战。
83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
·Communism
问:在二战期间,什么是最担心的?
答:共产主义.
84.What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
·Civil rights (movement).
问:哪个运功试图结束种族歧视?
答:民权运动.
85.What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?***
·Fought for civil rights.
问:什么是马丁 路德 金做的事?
:为民权奋战。
86.What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
·Terrorists attacked the United States
问:什么大事发生在“911”?
答:恐怖分子袭击美国。
 
87.Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
·Cheyenne
问:说出一个印第安的部落?
答:晒盐。
88.Name of one the two longest rivers in the United States.
·Mississippi River
问:说出一条河流,两条最长的河流中的任何一条?
答:密西西比河。
89.What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
·Pacific Ocean
问:什么海洋在美国的西岸?
答:
90.What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
·Atlantic Ocean
问:什么海洋在美国的西岸?
答:
91.Name one U.S. territory.
·Guam
问:说说出一个美国的领地?
答:关岛。
92.Name one state that borders Canada.
·New York
:说出一个州接邻加拿大?
答:纽约。
93Name one state the borders Mexico.
·California
问:说出一个州接邻墨西哥?
: 加州。
94What is the capital of the United States?***
·Washington D.C.
问:说出美国的首都?
答:华盛顿D C.
95Where is the Statue of Liberty?***
·New York (Harbor)
:那里是自由女神像?
答:纽约港。
96.Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
·Because there were 13 original colonies
问:为什么国旗上有13个条纹?
答:因为有13个原始的州。
97.Why does the flag have 50 stars?***
·Because there are 50 states
问:为什么国旗上有50个星星?
答:因为有50个州。
98.What is the name of the national anthem?
·The Star-Spangled Banner
问:美国国歌的名字?
答:灿烂的星条旗.
99.when do we celebrate Independence Day?***
· July 4
问:何时我们庆祝独立日?
答:74
100.Name two national U.S. holidays.
·Labor Day
·Thanksgiving Day。  
  问:说出2个美国假日?
  答:劳工节。感恩节。

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Secrets of Being Promoted and Earning More Money


Have you ever wondered how some real idiots get promoted and you don't? I've spent over 27 years working in the corporate world, climbing the greasy pole and I saw it all. I discovered there are three types of people. The key to getting promoted and earning more money is to decide which one you are...
Firstly, we have...
The Showman
We all know this person. I can picture a person I used to know who was the epitome of this type of person. Over a few years, I watched this guy get promotion after promotion and I have to say I was amazed. I thought he must be some kind of genius; I couldn't understand his secret. All the senior managers loved him. Then, one day, he ended up as my boss. Working closely with him I quickly found out a lot about him and got to realize what made up 'The Showman'.
His key strength was that he was great ‘on stage’. He was very eloquent at talking about what he’d done, to people in high places. He spent all of his time carefully crafting his image. He made sure he was at the right meetings and said the right thing. As a consequence senior management loved him and he was promoted. The issue was he was promoted so quickly people didn’t realize the key weakness of the Showman. He never actually did anything! He had some great ideas, that were totally impracticable and he never ever implemented anything in his life! It was all talk. What he was good at doing was taking credit for anything his team did and pass it off as his own. As a result his team’s morale was awful. But he had a knack of surviving for a while... until he was promoted again, and so the cycle repeated itself.
We then have....
The Implementer
This person is the opposite of the Showman. During my long career I have had the pleasure of working with some great people who actually got their hands dirty and did things. They worked hard and implemented things. They made change happen. These people are great to have in your team. But their biggest problem was that nobody knew about all the great work they did as they didn’t like to tell people. They were embarrassed to promote themselves and explaining to people what they have achieved. They thought that if they did a good job, then they would be noticed. This, however, is often not the case and as a result, unfortunately, most of them don’t get noticed and the world passes them by. This is clearly unjust, but it is life.
Finally, we have....
Abe Lincoln
The reason I call these people Abe Lincoln is because they are honest, hardworking, they get things done and make change. But to be President they must also be good ‘on stage’.
Let me relate a story to illustrate this type of person. Back in the day, I used to work for Mars Confectionery as a salesman on the road. I would see my boss twice a month. Showing my age, this was before emails and mobile phones! I always remember my boss saying to me that he wanted me to send him a memo each week, (on carbonized paper!) called 'Look what I have done'. He explained that he wasn't working with me all the time and he wouldn't be able to see all the good things that I was doing. So he asked me to tell him.
So every week I wrote him a memo with the highlights of my week. Some he would write back about and congratulate me. Some he would forward onto his boss who would write to me and tell me what a good job I was doing. Each of these motivated me to do more and better work. As he knew the good work I was doing I then started to get promoted. As I continued on my career path I continued and promoted this strategy – do good work, and then tell people about it.
To me this is the secret of getting promoted. Too many good people think the world is a 'just and honest' place, and if they do a good job they will be recognized and get promoted. They are embarrassed to inform people of their achievements. They, wrongly, believe people will notice their good work. I know it's hard to say, but the reality is that doesn't always happen, and idiots like my old boss, the Showman type, who build their career like a stack of cards, get promoted and you don’t. In my opinion you have to tell people what a good job you are doing. I don’t mean by being brash, or in a way that is egocentric but instead by being honest like President Lincoln.
When I have been coaching the various teams I have had over the years on this I always use this analogy of a theater. I ask them to imagine a theater where the audience if full of people that can give them promotion or a pay rise. I explain in this theater there are people that work behind the front stage with the curtains drawn. They diligently work in the background, doing the lights, building the scenery, selling the tickets. These are the unsung heroes and the audience doesn't have a clue who they are. These people rarely get promoted.
Then there are the people who are like my old boss. They are great showmen. They love being at the front of the stage and telling important people about how great they are. On stage they have the curtains closed behind them. Their performance is great and everyone loves them. They take all the glory. Then someone important says, “Can we look behind the curtains at what you have actually been doing. Can we see evidence of the change? Can we see the measures that have changed?” When the curtain is finally drawn back there is nothing there. It was all built on sand and their words are just words – not actions.
The secret of getting a promotion is this: You have to do things and then tell people what you have done. It is absolutely fundamental that you do ‘things’ and make change. But then in an unpretentious way, in an appropriate manner for the situation, you need to tell people about what you have done. It's important that you do not do this in an egoistical manner and that you always recognize other people who have helped you. To get promoted and earn more money you must claim what is rightfully yours. Too many good people are overlooked because they are not good at articulating their worth.
Which are you – Showman, Implementer or Abe Lincoln?

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Colin Shaw is the founder and CEO of Beyond Philosophy, one of the world's first organizations devoted to customer experience. Colin is an international author of four best-selling books and an engaging key-note speaker. To read more from Colin on LinkedIn, connect with him by clicking the follow button above or below.
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