Plenty of so-called web designers are really just print graphic designers trying to transfer their old ways onto a compuuter screen. What you have to remember though, is that the web is not paper. The web is a relatively new medium – in fact, it’s often referred to as just that, ‘new media’ – and practical graphic design on the web is still less than ten years old, by all accounts.

Paper Doesn’t Scroll.

If you design a site as if it had to fit entirely onto one sheet of A4, you’re doing your visitors a disservice. Text on the web has a potential infinite amount of space. Why make me press a button to go to your next page? Are you stupid? Are you just trying to increase your pageviews and ad views, or what? Stick to the rule of one page for one article, and you’ll do much better.

Paper Has No Bandwidth Issues.

You can cover a sheet of paper in all the pretty pictures and backgrounds you like, and it still doesn’t take any longer to pick it up and read it. That’s just not true on the web. I’m sure you abandoned dial-up years ago, no doubt, but there are still plenty of people out there using the web at those kinds of speeds. It’s downright rude to make them sit and wait while your design loads, when all they wanted to do was read some text.

Columns Work on Paper.

One of the biggest issues with print designers find it difficult to get over is the web’s lack of columns. You really, really can’t do columns on the web. You just can’t. It doesn’t work. You have to spend hours writing a set of custom scripts, only to break functions like text selection and browser resizing that your visitors would rather have seen work properly – not to mention that reading left-to-right on a computer screen is unexpected and altogether quite unpleasant. Get over yourself, and leave your columns on the paper, where they belong.

Paper Isn’t Linked.

One of the easiest ways to spot a site designed by a print guy is by looking for the links. If there aren’t any, the chances are the designer used to do paper layouts. Even more so if they’ve added notes like ‘go to our downloads page to see…’ – you can link to it, you know! Don’t be afraid to link far more than you’d think is sensible. Linking is what the web is all about.

Paper Will Only Be Seen One Way.

Web pages, on the other hand, will be seen in a variety of web browsers, at all sorts of sizes, in lots of different fonts… the list goes on. It’s silly to think that you can control the way your website looks to every visitor: what you’re doing is offering a set of guidelines, for their software to interpret however it wants. If they choose to make all their fonts massive because they have trouble seeing, who are you to set your page to override that? Yet many designers do.

Never forget that your role isn’t to make sure that everyone sees the design exactly as you intended – what you’re trying to do, really, is let as many people as possible see the site, and make it look as close to the intended design as possible, if it doesn’t interfere with their wishes. That’s the difference between a user-hostile website and a user-friendly one. If you’re not a print designer, you’re probably nodding your head – and if you are then, well, I suggest you take some time to think it over.

The End of Paper?

Paper and the web aren’t adversaries by any means: the web is highly unlikely to destroy paper layouts as we know them, no matter how many ‘technologists’ might predict it. The important thing, though, is that paper and the web are different, and you need to realise that their differences are something to be celebrated, not worked around. The best layout for the same content will be very different on the web to the way it is on paper – but, in the end, why is that bad?

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Scoring the interview for the job that you want doesn’t have to be rocket science. Sometimes you can score that interview by simply making a phone call. There are many ways that people go about trying to get an interview. The methods of achieving one vary by company. It is best to know what the company’s application process is before taking your first step.

Generally, when a company is hiring they post an ad in the newspaper or an online job bank. How to contact them is usually included in the ad as well. You don’t want to email a resume to a company that is requesting that you walk in with your resume. You don’t want to call a company that requires a faxed resume etc. Ignoring their initial contacting information will guarantee that you will not get that interview because you have already proven that you can’t follow simple directions.

Sometimes, you can get a job lead from a friend before the job has been posted. If this is the case, you can either ask the friend to give the employer your resume and cover letter. If your friend doesn’t actually work where the lead came from, you can try calling about the position and ask what the application procedure is.

There are four general methods of applying for a job, and they include these basic methods.

Sending a Resume

Some companies prefer that you mail in your resume. For this type of approach, it is best to include a cover letter with your resume. The cover is a basic letter that describes the position that you are interest in and a few details of your qualifications and skills. It is basically your lead in to your resume. Before writing your cover letter, you should know whom the letter is to be addressed to. You never want to begin a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madame” or “To whom it may Concern”. It shows that you have not prepared, and that you are not looking for a specific position with their company, but any job that you can get your hands on. Basically, it is disrespectful to your prospective employer.

Emailing Your Resume

Emailing resumes is becoming a commonplace way for recruiters to get resumes. Most companies offer this method as an alternative to the others. However, there are few tips on how you should go about it.
You should attach your resume as a word document or PDF file. These are the most common formats and what most companies will accept. The subject line should read like this: Smith, John (clerical position)This makes it easy for the recruiter to know who the email is from, and what it pertains to. It also assures that your email will be read.
Sometimes there are specific methods for addressing an emailed resume. Some companies have certain subject line requirements so follow them. If your company wants you to paste your resume, don’t send attachments because your email will be deleted right away.

Faxing Your Resume

Again, you will need to include a cover letter when you fax in your resume. If you are not using your own fax machine, be sure to include your proper contact information. The rules for your cover letter are the same as for mailing your resume. More about cover letters will be provided a bit later on in this book.

Walk-In Your Resume

For this type of application procedure, you will want to dress appropriately. You would want to dress just like you would for an interview. Company’s usually ask you to do this if you are going to be working directly with customers. They ask for a walk in because they want to get a look at your grooming habits right away. Sometimes, a walk in will have the employer giving you a brief interview on the spot, to see if they will require a formal interview later. So be on your best and most appropriate behavior.
Also, walk-ins do not require you to bring in a cover letter with your resume. Your appearance is sort of the cover letter. Sometimes, you will be requested to fill out an application form as well. Smile and be polite, no matter who you are talking to. That could be the difference between getting an interview and just taking an extra trip for nothing.

Telephoning for an Interview

It is not particularly common anymore for companies to ask you to call them for an interview. That is usually saved for jobs that include sales and/or jobs that are not so easily applied for by the other methods. Telephoning for an interview is a bit common when a company requires that you be on the phone a lot. It gives them a feel for the quality and the personality of the person on the phone. When making this type of interview request, always speak in a clean and clear manner. Be polite and prepared to answer any questions that may be asked of you. You might approach the telephone interview like this:

“Hello Mr. Brown, I am Mike Sandal. I am calling with regards to your ad in the Post about the clerical position”. If you are asked your experience and/or previous work experience, be prepared to answer quickly and explain how long you have been doing that type of work and give a brief description of your duties.

Cal Golden is a volunteer youth councilor, and webmaster of Interview Secrets. For cutting-edge news, tips, and information from top human resource managers on how to come out on top of all the other job candidates, be sure to visit Interview Secrets

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com