Purpose and use of resume, cover letter, and follow-up letter

Resume: your resume should emphasize specific professional capabilities and utilize experience summaries. This should include your name and address header, summary of qualifications, experience, work history, and education.
Cover Letter: your cover letter should be about detailed information about skills and reasons why you are interested in the job.
Follow-up letter: your follow-up letter should reiterate your interest  in the job. You send a follow up letter 1-2 weeks after your resume and before your interview expressing that you want the job.

How to prepare for interview

An interview is very important when trying to obtain a position for a certain employer and you should therefore prepare for it. one thing is to be ready to answer those common interview questions so you can give them a quick and clear answer. You should be familiar with the job and have a variety well rehearsed  of stories or experiences to help you during the interview. Make sure your experiences are recent and haven't happened several years ago. Another good idea is to ask a employ that works there or has worked there to help you be ready.

Correct interview dress

Wearing the appropriate clothing to an interview is very important so you can make a good impression. Men should wear a solid colored conservative suit, a white long sleeve shirt, a conservative tie, dark socks with professional shoes, and a neat hairstyle.

Women should wear a solid colored conservative suit, matching blouse, moderate shoes, limited jewelry and make up, and a neat hairstyle.

Top inteview questions

During your interview there are several common questions that they might ask. they may be:

• What is your strongest trait?
• Do you have any weaknesses?
• What is your ideal job situation?
• Where do you want to be in five years?
• Why should I hire you?

You should be prepared to answer these questions or questions similar to them, and try to remain calm and clear throughout them.

Order of resume

The order of your resume should be the following:

1. Heading- this should include your name and address
2. Job objective- why you are interested in the job
3. Education- your high school, college, etc
4. Qualifications or skills- relevant skills that apply for the job
5. Awards/ Achievements
6. Work Experience- previous jobs you have had
7. Activities and associations- clubs or things you have participated in and your role in them
8. References- upon request

Organizational tools

One key to success in school and in life is being organized. Many teachers encourage you to use your agenda. An agenda is a great organizational tool to help youw write down your homework, projects, other assignments, and imporatant dates. Within  the agenda you can write checklists, which are also a great organizational tool. If your school does not provide one for you, you should pick one up immediatley. Another great tool to use is a binder for each subject. Within these binders you can easily store papers and get them back out by putting tabs to divide your sections for notes, homework, handouts, etc.

What to avoid when studying

Now that you know the right way to study you need to know what not to do. Do attempt to study in the lunch room or on the bus because these places teand to be very loud and distracting. Also do not attempt to study with a friend that you know you will start talking about something else like last night's game. Never try to do all your studying the night before the test or even worse the morning. There will most likely be too much informationa and you want be able to remember all of it. Lastly do not not be late to your test because you may run out of time or not be able to take the test which will result in an F.

Tips on how to Study

Studying is very important in school and if you do it write you are almost guaranteed to get an A. Some productive places to study are the library, a quiet classroom, or your room. The key is to find a  quiet place without any distractions so you can focus. Studying with friends may be helpful, but you must make sure you don't get of topic. Study parts of your notes about a week before to help you remember all of the important information. Study guides are also very helpful and can ensure you know all the information needed. Lastly make sure you eat a good breakfast the morning of the test and that you come prepared with extra pens or pencils and arrive several minutes early.

Learning Styles

There are several different types of learning styles and it is important to know which type you are to help you learn faster and better. One type of learning style is auditory, which means they learn better by listening to someone better. Some things that may benefit auditory learners are recording your notes or by reading your notes aloud. Another type of learning style is visual. These people learn better by seeing things and do well by watching a video or studying charts. The last learning style is Tactile, and they learn better by touching things and working with their hand. These learners may excel at labs in science and art class. It is important to know your learning style so you can learn faster and study better.

ACT/SAT

Most universities now accept both SAT and ACT, which can be used to your advantage. The SAT tests math, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. The SAT is scored out of 1600 although fewer than 20% of test takers scored 600 on the math section, and less than 10% of test takers scored a 600 on the verbal section. The ACT tests math, english, reading, and science reasoning. You are given 2 hours and 55 minutes ti complete all multiple choice questions. The highest possible score is a 36 although most students score is from 17-23. Since most universities accept both standardized tests you can pick whichever one you want that you think you will do better.

When do you apply to college

You can i apply to college whenever you want although almost all colleges ask for a SAT and/or ACT score. Most high school students apply their junior year during the fall. By then you should already have a list of colleges you are interested in attending.

Public vs. Private colleges

Private universities and public universities differ in several ways. A private university typically cost more than a public university. Although private universities may have more financial aid  to offer than public universities. Public universities are also a lot larger and attract students from different states and different countries.

Safety Tips

• Don't give out any personal information
• Don't give out any credit card numbers
• Check for viruses
• Don't install or download programs of the internet
• Install a second internet browser
• install an anti-virus software

How To Protect Yourself

• Don’t reveal personal information inadvertently
• Don’t put your name or personal information in your email address when mailing to a stranger
• Reject unnecessary cookies
• Delete browsing history
• Make sure that online forms are secure

If you are ever harassed, threatened, or receive spam over the internet you should report this to the local FBI office. These are examples of crimes and if you feel uncomfortable in a situation do not hesitate to contact the local FBI office.

Do's and Don'ts of Internet Safety

 Do's:

• Read a web sites privacy policy before giving  credit card information
• Discuss internet safety with your children
• Only use reputable shopping site, because if a deal seems too good to be true it’s probably a scam

Don'ts

• Don’t give out personal information
• Don’t open an email from anyone you don’t know, because it could contain a virus
• Don’t share you password
• Do  not respond to a message you get if it makes you feel uncomfortable
• Don’t agree to meet someone you have met over the internet
• Don’t send personal pictures over the internet
• Don’t believe everything people tell you on the internet, since you don’t know who they really are

What I Love About Being A Jag

Having recently moved to Hoover, Alabama from New Jersey i find that Spain Park is an excellent school and the best I have attended. The academics and extra curricular activities Spain Park has to offer are extremely well organized and taught. Also the students and teachers here at Spain Park are all extremely friendly and welcoming. I find that I cannot walk down one hallway without someone saying hello to me. The school is filled with spirit and is a place I enjoy going to every day, which is why I'm proud to say I am a Jag.

My Schedule

1st period- High School 101- Ms. Boone: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/jboone/Pages/default.aspx

Academic Opportunities- Coach Hall: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/mhall/Pages/default.aspx


2nd period- Biology- Ms. Mytyk:  http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/amytyk/Pages/default.aspx


3rd period- Algebra 1- Ms. Mathias: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/smathias/Pages/default.aspx


4th period- P.E.- Coach Dill:
 http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/pdill/Pages/default.aspx


5th period- World History 9- Ms. Day: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/LDay/Pages/default.aspx


6th period- Band- Dr. Jarnigan-
 http://www.spainparkband.com/joomla/index.php


7th period- Pre-AP English 9- MS. Caston- Smith: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Faculty2/tcastonsmith/Pages/default.aspx

SPHS's location, mission, mascot, and alma mater

Spain Park High School is located at 4700 Jaguar Drive, Hoover, AL.

SPHS's mission is that "the future belongs to the educated, and Spain Park High School exists to promote and prepare students fir academic excellence while empowering our young adults to live and thrive in that future."

Spain Park High School's mascot is a jaguar.


SPHS's alma mater is "Spain Park Jags, we celebrate, a place we hold so dear,
This is our Alma Mater, Spain Park we sing and cheer
Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal, as the years pass through
May we ever love the Jaguar Blue,
To Spain Park be true!

Here is the link to Spain Park High School for more information: http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/sphs/Pages/default.aspx