Newsflash

We all like to be thought of as intelligent people.  One way to create this impression is to use "big words."  This is not a good idea in the job search process.  Remember, you are writing to busy people who want you to get to the point.  When you use long sentences with lots of big words, you slow them down.

Some experts on the subject suggest that "writing at an 8th grade level" is most appropriate.  Before you laugh consider this, the newspaper USA TODAY is written at that level.  You can measure the FOG FACTOR of your written documents if you use Microsoft Word.  Bill Atwood, an FOB Chapter Leader, supplies the following instructions:

The FOG FACTOR - PROVIDED BY BILL ATWOOD

There is quite a variety of methods for calculating the “fog factor” of
your writing.  Here are two methods I came across.  Each has its own
unique results but the concept is the same. To keep your fog factor low: Try for an average sentence length of 15 words.  Some will be
shorter, some longer, and you'll want to vary them. 

1. Use simple words in place of the more "impressive" big words
("Use" vs. "utilize," for example). This will cut down on the
multi-syllable words that increase the fog factor.

2. Use active voice; passive voice adds more words, which increases
fog. Manual Calculation Gunner’s Fog Index. In a sample document (1) count the total number of words (2) count the number of sentences within the passage or paragraph (3) count the number of big words of three syllables or more (4) calculate the average sentence length by dividing the number of words by
the number of sentences (5) calculate the percentage of big words by dividing the number of big words by the number of words and multiplying by 100 (6) add the average sentence length to the percentage of big words and multiply that result by 0.4 = the Fog Index score. Reasonably clear writing has a Fog Index of between 9 and 12 - a good range to aim
for.

Let the system do it.  You can configure your word processor to do this for you.   Here are the steps if you use Microsoft Word.  Other word processors would follow
similar procedures.

a. Select a passage in your document.  
b. Select Tools from the menu bar, then selecting Options in the
drop-down box. 
c. Select the Spelling & Grammar tab.
d. Select the "Show readability statistics" box.
e. Click "Check document."
f. In the Writing Style drop-down box, select "Standard".
g. Click OK.
h. On the tool bar click "Check spelling" 
i. Go through all the usual spell-check drill.

The results will be displayed in a "readability" window.

 
Democracy Countdown
Written by Harry Corbett   
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
How Long Do We Have?  The Democracy Countdown may give us a clue ... 
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 November 2008 )
Read more...
 
FOB - What We Believe
Written by Harry Corbett   
Friday, 08 December 2006

Solo Deo Gloria!      (To God Alone Be The Glory)  

The Friends of Barnabas, Inc. is a Christ-centered, non-denominational, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people of all beliefs find fulfilling employment.  We believe fulfilling employment is only found when we are living in the center of God’s will for our lives.

To find God’s will for your life, and find joy and fulfillment, we believe you need to know and embrace the following: 

Last Updated ( Monday, 13 October 2008 )
Read more...
 
Networking Tips 2
Written by Brian Corbett   
Monday, 12 April 2004

Everyone you know, and everyone you meet, can become part of your network.  The secret is to understand what to tell them and how to stay in touch with them.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 December 2006 )
 
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The unemployment rate is low!  Jacksonville has good jobs waiting to be found!  Let FOB help!

 
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