I'm sure we've all been told at least once in our life that the fork goes on the left. Well, today I was taken to the next level in terms of the rules of fine dining.
I didn't have just one, not two, but three glasses for beverages, and one cup for tea/coffee, paired with three forks, knives, spoons, and plates, and one bowl.
From left to right, top to bottom, it went:
Top layer: Cup and saucer, red wine glass, white wine glass, water glass.
Middle layer: Dessert fork facing right, dessert spoon facing left.
Bottom layer: Bread saucer with folded napkin on top, salad fork, main dish fork, soup bowl on top of salad plate on top of main dish plate, main dish fork, salad fork, tea spoon, soup spoon.
If you've been invited to a dinner by a host, wait for them to sit down before you do, and eat only after they give the okay to. When eating properly, keep your fork facing down unless pushing peas, corn or other small vegetables onto it. Avoid making any disgusting body noises such as burps, talking with your mouth full, and such. When finished your meal, leave your fork and knife on the right side of your plate to signify to the waiter that it is okay to take your dishes now.
Some of these rules seem more like common sense, but you'd be surprised how a lot of people act when they eat. Everything else to me seems like complete overkill for just eating a meal. Food is food no matter how you eat it, it's all going to get digested and come out sooner or later. Though, I do understand there needs to be a certain amount of courtesy towards others and yourself when shoveling those nutrients in.
I'm just glad there aren't any rules for proper etiquette while using the bathroom.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Blog #3 - Interview Professionalism
"Easier said than done".
These words could not be more true when confronted with the task of going through a professional mock job interview. So many factors determine what the employer is going to think of you based upon your answers to their questions, like how much you get them to talk, how much you talk about your valid skills, and if you have examples to back your claims.
When asked a question you don't have the answer for right away, take your time thinking about how you can answer the question using as many words as possible, making sure to go into greater detail than what they expect to show you know even more than what they're asking. Of course, taking too long and making the interviewer wait is also a bad thing, so ask them to wait a moment while you think. If you don't know the answer to their question, say you don't know the answer instead of trying to guess. Remember, what you say and how much you say greatly influences their opinion of you.
Another big factor going into an interview is your appearance. Missing just one piece of a complete business uniform could make you look less professional and more casual, ultimately making it seem you don't care enough about the interview and/or interviewer to dress appropriately, thus greatly decreasing your chances of getting the job.
Another great way of getting "points" towards getting hired, though not recommended or done by myself, is to lie. If you're not very social, but the job requires you to be so, tell the interviewer that you are, then work on becoming so afterwards. This only works with personality and opinions; DO NOT lie about your skills, education and/or work experience.
From what I've learned, getting the job is many times more difficult than actually doing the job. Who knew?
These words could not be more true when confronted with the task of going through a professional mock job interview. So many factors determine what the employer is going to think of you based upon your answers to their questions, like how much you get them to talk, how much you talk about your valid skills, and if you have examples to back your claims.
The beginning of every successful interview doesn't even start with you waiting for your turn to be called; it starts with gathering information about the company you want to apply to, and the job you want to apply for. You must have a copy of your résumé and references with you on clean, white uncreased paper, which should be edited to contain all appropriate skills and education that apply to the job you're applying for.
After being called in for your interview, remember to shake the interviewer's hand with strength appropriate to their gender and figure, while maintaining eye contact. Keep in mind, some people have phobias that prevent them from wanting to shake hands.
When asked a question you don't have the answer for right away, take your time thinking about how you can answer the question using as many words as possible, making sure to go into greater detail than what they expect to show you know even more than what they're asking. Of course, taking too long and making the interviewer wait is also a bad thing, so ask them to wait a moment while you think. If you don't know the answer to their question, say you don't know the answer instead of trying to guess. Remember, what you say and how much you say greatly influences their opinion of you.
Another big factor going into an interview is your appearance. Missing just one piece of a complete business uniform could make you look less professional and more casual, ultimately making it seem you don't care enough about the interview and/or interviewer to dress appropriately, thus greatly decreasing your chances of getting the job.
Another great way of getting "points" towards getting hired, though not recommended or done by myself, is to lie. If you're not very social, but the job requires you to be so, tell the interviewer that you are, then work on becoming so afterwards. This only works with personality and opinions; DO NOT lie about your skills, education and/or work experience.
From what I've learned, getting the job is many times more difficult than actually doing the job. Who knew?
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Blog #2 - A Heavy Workload
During my first week here at NSCC, I was told that time management was one of the most important things I needed to be successful both in college, and at work. Even knowing this before coming here, I wasn't prepared for the sudden increase in work from all classes the following week.
For the first couple days, I was relaxed, still holding on to my high school beliefs that I could finish my assignments the class they were assigned, leaving me with the rest of the day to relax. There wasn't a better time to be proven wrong. Within the first two weeks, I was behind on multiple assignments and finding it hard to understand everything I was being taught. However, after speaking to my teacher for that course and arranging to have a tutor, I slowly started to get back on track with everyone else.
That being said, I am now in my second year, and the workload continues to grow. Time management isn't an easy thing to have, as I find myself more times than not putting assignments for classes I dislike off until the last day, knowing that I'll struggle with them longer thus needing more time to complete them. This is exactly what happened this week.
Knowing that two project's deadlines were slowly getting nearer, I focused my work on the smaller assignments that were handed out that day, then went to play games with friends to unwind after finishing them. Finally it dawned on me. Both project was due the next day, and having just started the first one I realized how much work was going to have to go into it. Without delay, I started working on it, taking short breaks every four hours, for eight hours. It wasn't enough though as I stayed up until 4AM that night, and didn't sleep at all the next. Now being a day behind, I decided to submit what I had, having only finished five out of seven parts. The worst part however, was not submitting my work in an acceptable format, so not only will it be a big blow to my final mark for that course, but for my portfolio as well. The other project, well... I'm just glad my teacher allows re-submissions the next week.
After this week, time management seems more like a super power than a common skill, a super power I seem to be lacking for the time being. As I progress through my second year, all I can hope for is that I'll somehow acquire the ability to manage my time better before the end of the year. My grades, and my life depend on it.
For the first couple days, I was relaxed, still holding on to my high school beliefs that I could finish my assignments the class they were assigned, leaving me with the rest of the day to relax. There wasn't a better time to be proven wrong. Within the first two weeks, I was behind on multiple assignments and finding it hard to understand everything I was being taught. However, after speaking to my teacher for that course and arranging to have a tutor, I slowly started to get back on track with everyone else.
That being said, I am now in my second year, and the workload continues to grow. Time management isn't an easy thing to have, as I find myself more times than not putting assignments for classes I dislike off until the last day, knowing that I'll struggle with them longer thus needing more time to complete them. This is exactly what happened this week.
Knowing that two project's deadlines were slowly getting nearer, I focused my work on the smaller assignments that were handed out that day, then went to play games with friends to unwind after finishing them. Finally it dawned on me. Both project was due the next day, and having just started the first one I realized how much work was going to have to go into it. Without delay, I started working on it, taking short breaks every four hours, for eight hours. It wasn't enough though as I stayed up until 4AM that night, and didn't sleep at all the next. Now being a day behind, I decided to submit what I had, having only finished five out of seven parts. The worst part however, was not submitting my work in an acceptable format, so not only will it be a big blow to my final mark for that course, but for my portfolio as well. The other project, well... I'm just glad my teacher allows re-submissions the next week.
After this week, time management seems more like a super power than a common skill, a super power I seem to be lacking for the time being. As I progress through my second year, all I can hope for is that I'll somehow acquire the ability to manage my time better before the end of the year. My grades, and my life depend on it.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Blog #1 - Introduction
Hi, I'm Joseph Webber.
I just recently created a blog, and am still getting to understand how this works.
If not for this class I'm taking at Nova Scotia Community College, I never would have made one.
Thanks Shari.
According to this rubric, my blog will be to demonstrate my professional online behaviour and develop lifelong learning skills for career development. In other words, an online work diary.
There are many things I could blog about that relate to my course and possible career, which I will attempt to on a weekly basis. Deciding on what to post though will be a bigger challenge. Maybe I'll just blog about what I learned/accomplished that week, and maybe include things I've learned over the past year as they become relevant.
I just recently created a blog, and am still getting to understand how this works.
If not for this class I'm taking at Nova Scotia Community College, I never would have made one.
Thanks Shari.
According to this rubric, my blog will be to demonstrate my professional online behaviour and develop lifelong learning skills for career development. In other words, an online work diary.
There are many things I could blog about that relate to my course and possible career, which I will attempt to on a weekly basis. Deciding on what to post though will be a bigger challenge. Maybe I'll just blog about what I learned/accomplished that week, and maybe include things I've learned over the past year as they become relevant.
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