HAPPINESS IS... MEME IS UP :)

Happiness is...

...being able to work a full-time job from home ☻

This is my little "powerhouse" corner at home where I telecommute as a medical transcriptionist.  I work with a laptop and a desktop to increase efficiency by using two monitors.  I have been doing this for a year now, since I moved to the States from Canada.   I'm employed by the same company - only now, I do my job from Pennsylvania and I don't have to be physically present in the main office in Toronto.

For the record, I don't normally put a bottle of hair conditioner (as seen in the picture) on my computer desk.  At the time this was taken, I was rushing to get my work done for the day, as Vince and I had an important flight to catch.  It was about a couple of minutes before my log off time.  I was wrapping up my work and doing some last minute packing at the same time.  Vince, seeing the helter-skelter I was, decided to take a picture to document one of my many "toxic" moments ☻

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My share for:

HOW TO WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE

Yesterday, Vince and I attended a dinner/seminar hosted by the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).  While the presentation was intended for physicians, particularly residents and fellows, the facilitators discussed topics such as Curriculum Vitae (CV) writing and interview preparation, which are as well applicable to any job seeker.  So for today's entry, I'm sharing those pointers I learned from the seminar, with a touch of my own quips.  I realize that this kind of information is readily available in the Internet and I wouldn't be surprised if this may sound as old news to you, but who knows what new things someone (like me!) can pick up from an old trick, right?  Plus, if you haven't done your CV in quite a while (like me again!), consider this as a refresher course ;)

HOW TO WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE

1.  Below is a set of headings you may use as applicable:

Identification

Post Graduate

Education

Experience

Licenses and Certification

Professional Affiliations

2.  Remember to use reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest).

3.  The headings should be clear and should stand out from the other text in your CV.

4.  Use appropriate spacing and font style and size (e.g. Arial/Times New Roman 11/12).  The font style and size determines how easy on the eyes your CV will look when printed/faxed.

5.  Keep the format consistent throughout.

6.  The most important part of your CV is your contact information, so make sure that it is up to date.  Put a contact number/email address where you can be easily and directly reached.  Do not use your mom's, dad's, spouse's, neighbor's, neighbor's wife's, neighbor's wife's cousin's, neighbor's wife's cousin's girflriend's contact infos.  Of course, I'm exaggerating over the last parts there.

7.  One thing you don't want a prospect employer to see in your CV is spelling and typhographical mistakes, which pretty much reflect a "sloppy and careless" attitude.  We know by now that Spell Check is not perfect, so it is always advisable to have another set of human eyes do a final proofread of a hard copy of your CV.

Also worth mentioning is that, once distributed out, we do not have control as to whose hands our CV may end up with.  In this regard, we should exercise caution with what information we put in it.  While I have yet to know someone who puts credit card/bank information in a CV, details like Social Security Number should be excluded.

Keep in mind that our Curriculum Vitae is our passport to a job interview.  We can maximize its power by supplying accurate and precise information.

I hope what I wrote above is helpful.  Thanks for taking time to read.  I plan on writing a follow-up post and share HCA's tips on how to write a great cover letter and how to prepare for an interview, so stay tuned to learn more :)

MY FRIDAY FINGERS

I listen and type for a living (i.e., medical transcription) and in my job, there are two common sickness I usually suffer from:

1.  Ever had a day when it seems you can hardly hear dictations correctly?  Or on a Q/A level, did it seem like in every transcript you proofread, there are lots of "misheard" both medical and non-medical terms wise?  If so, then you were (or some typist was) definitely having a BAD EAR DAY.  Perfect example came up just now fresh from the oven.  A report I'm currently proofreading says pubic "synthesis" when it should be pubic "symphysis."  Hey there, Ms. Transcriptionist, should I introduce you to Mr. Q-tips or Mr. Google? Your pick.

2.  FRIDAY FINGERS - This term I conjured myself.  Don't get tricked by the name as this syndrome can happen at any day.  I am just a fan of alliteration and the happy thoughts that Friday brings particularly for regular employees like me, hence, the name.  Anyway, this syndrome I made up myself is about those days when my fingers would get "confused" and just keep on hitting the wrong letters in the keyboard.  I wanted to say it feels as if "they have a mind of their own" but then I really couldn't say that, because to begin with, my fingers do have a mind of their own.  That last part there might have freaked your Friday out, but hold on, I have a valid explanation for that.

Fun fact:  I am a Dvorak typist.

Let's say, you quiz me, give me a "blank" keyboard, and ask me to supply the blanks with letters of the Dvorak layout; and I can totally see myself go "blank" on that.  However, if you let me put my fingers on the home keys, they will surely find their way to the correct letters and type away 75 words per minute if you wish.

The modern Dvorak Simplified Keyboard (US layout)

Another fun fact:  I had formal typing lessons in school when I was 11, and needless to say, my very young eager mind absorbed and retained all the QWERTY-ness that a manual typewriter offered.  (For younger generations who don't know what a typewriter is or have not seen one, please consult Mr. Google - or ask your parents.)

Let's say, you quiz me, give me a "blank" keyboard, and ask me to supply the blanks with letters of the QWERTY layout; and I can see myself being able to complete that task.  However, there is no way I will be able to type using a QWERTY layout.

One last fun fact for today:  Although I type with a Dvorak layout, I use a QWERTY hardware.

Logitech Wave - my favorite keyboard

So, that's what I meant when I said that my fingers have a mind of their own.

 

I know I probably lost you at Dvorak, which happened at least 98% of the time whenever I tried to explain to someone about my "weird" keyboard layout.  If only people way, way back then when computers were still unimaginable, had been more embracing of change and accepted the Dvorak layout as much as they did with QWERTY, more people nowadays would be aware of this alternative. 

Let me share you this clip I found in YouTube, explaining briefly the principle behind Dvorak and some of the disputed claims versus QWERTY. 

The Dvorak layout and the benefits it claims have come under much scrutiny through history.  Although a major test in 1956 conducted by the U.S. General Service Administration found Dvorak no more efficient than QWERTY, personally, having learned and used both layouts, I wouldn't think twice to choose Dvorak over QWERTY.

Anyweiz, today's Friday, so I'm intentionally putting my Friday Fingers on and ciao-ing for now (sometimes I wish I can call in sick and say I'm having a bad ear day or Friday fingers, dang!)

Happy Friday !