Monthly Archives: December 2014

Notes from Oil and Gas

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Just a few notes on pronunciation and definitions today. “Platform” has two syllables: plat + form. Some say it with three: plat + a + form, but this is not correct.

“Equipment” has three syllables: e + quip + ment. Some say it with four: e + quip + a + ment, but this is also not correct. Be careful, because equipment is not a count noun.

“Seismic” has two syllables. It sounds like size + mick.

“Flesh out” is a separable phrasal verb. It means “to give detail or make something complete.”
“John, I like your proposal, but it is missing some information about the process. Can you flesh it out so I can understand the details better, please?”

“Legislation” is a formal word meaning “laws.” It’s a noncount noun.

“Pave the way” is an idiom that means “prepare for something else.” “Jane, your research really paved the way for my new discovery. It really helped me think about my work from a different point of view!”

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People from Other Countries

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I see a lot of students from around the world. They generally are happy to meet each other, learn about their differences and similarities, and work together in class. However, there often seems to be difficulty with the word “foreigner.”

It might look hard to pronounce, but here’s a secret: the ‘g’ makes no sound. Start by saying these sounds together: for in er. You got it!

Many students will say “other country people” instead of “foreigner.” Not only is the grammar incorrect, it is awkward. Remember that “foreigner” is a noun, and that “foreign” is the adjective.

Before: I met many other country people today.
After: I met many foreigners today.

Before: Are there other country people in your grammar class?
After: Are there foreign people in your grammar class?

“Foreigner” and “foreign” can be used in formal or legal situations.

Now that you can talk about them, it is time to go and meet some people who are from other countries. Good luck!

Profile on a Resumé?

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It is becoming more and more popular for people to put a “Profile” section on the their resumé in place of an “Objective” section. Here is a place to write a brief summary of yourself, your experience, and your personality.

Do: describe yourself, mentioning how you match what the company is looking for. Use the third person (“A talented writer, with experience meeting publishing deadlines, is…”)

Don’t: just rewrite your cover letter.

If you choose to use a profile section, you’ll have to rewrite it for every company you apply at. Every company will be different, so treat the profile section like a cover letter. Make sure they both match the company’s requirements!

Take a look at my CBEH or Resumé Sample Pack for more information.