Languages can be divided into human and non-human (animal, machine …) languages. Human languages are those used by humans for communication. All human languages are both natural and artificial. Artificial because all human languages use arbitrary (artificial) signs – words – and because they are manmade. They are all natural due to their deep grammatical structure. The fact that every human language is capable of being learned by any human being proves that they are all natural.
Languages such as Esperanto, pidgins and creoles are normal human languages in the same way as are ethnic languages, dialects and other forms of speech. The basic requirement for any linguistic system to be a human language is that it be in regular use by a community.
Human beings created writing, and then states, and the states established state languages which differ from other spontaneous languages by being standardized. Standard languages are regulated by spelling and pronunciation models, grammar and dictionaries, and they are written. Therefore, changes in such languages are slower than in spontaneous language.

Each person belongs simultaneously to many groups (family, city, region, nation, religion, philosophy, groups of friends, etc.). And each group tends to develop variations of language which demarcate it from other groups. Therefore, each speaker in practice speaks many language varieties, or registers, even if not aware of this. Humans are multilingual by nature.
Each language also tends towards more extensive use than within its own group and each tends towards some use by neighboring groups to facilitate communication. In this sense, some languages continue to grow due to the general strength of their speakers (economic, military, etc.), and the strength and attractiveness of their cultures (cultural products include art, education, religion, entertainment industries …) and become international languages which are more or less widely used.

• Use the Right Job Boards – You may be using job boards, but are you using them right? There are hundreds of job boards you can use, but not all of them are going to be right for your situation. For instance, if you are a student, you aren’t going to be looking at job boards that require you to have a master’s degree. You will have to do a bit of research to make sure that you are only using the job boards that are going to be useful to you.
• Do Your Research – Your research skills are going to come in pretty handy now that you are trying to find a job. Not only are you going to need these skills for many types of jobs you may be interested in, you will need research skills in order to find a job. Your research could involve looking into different careers based on your education and skills, or researching the companies you are interested in applying to. Also, look into resume templates and other tools to make your resume look appealing to the potential employers.
• Use Automatic Jobs Feeds – It is a good idea to sign up for Google Alerts or other services that are similar in order to track employers, job opportunities, etc. You can set things up so that you get alerts about jobs that interest you and fall into your specific skillset. Doing this can also help to prepare you for interviews, since you can follow target employers, learn what jobs they are offering, see how they are growing, etc.
• Take Advantage of Social Media – One way that many people are getting jobs is by using their social media profiles. But, you need to make sure that there is nothing on your profile that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see. So, start cleaning it up. Change your profile photo to a nice headshot. Get rid of the party photos, and don’t make posts that may be seen as inappropriate by employers and others. The more you clean up your profiles, the more you can use social media as an important job search tool.
• Start Using LinkedIn – These days, you really do need to have a LinkedIn profile in order to find a great job. Many employers are going to look for your profile as soon as you send them a resume. So, you not only need to have an account, you need to have an active Start contacting those who have influence in the business world, particularly in the area you want to be working in. Get connected with industry experts, and possible future employers.
• Stop Wasting Time – You might think that because you are applying for every job you see that you are not wasting time. But, if those jobs aren’t in the field that you really want to work in, you are wasting time, because you could be applying for other jobs that you really want. Also, don’t network blindly. Look for people who are going to be able to help you get ahead and advance in your career, and who are working in the field that you are interested in.

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• What skills do you most want to use in a job? Writing skills? Communication skills? Research skills? Analytical skills? Make a list of the tasks you have most enjoyed using from past jobs and courses so you can keep an eye out for job postings that utilize these strengths.
• What type of organization would you most like to work within? For profit? Nonprofit? Educational? Government? What are you most passionate about and what organizations in the community align with these passions? Complete this work environment activity to further clarify what you are seeking.

Step 1: Let Go of the Bad Experience

Step 2: Have More Than One Goal

• Putting a lot of effort into mastering your academic major will help you build the knowledge base to work productively as a team member at your future workplace. Even if you are not planning or unsure about working in the field of your major, you will still have an opportunity to develop your intellectual capacity and transferrable skills that will help you be a productive team member (consult career guides to learn about transferrable skills related to each AU major)
  • To excel in your major/minor, build relations with your professors, attend professors’ office hours, utilize ASAC, pursue research/internship opportunities, attend conferences, professional events, panels on, and off campus.
• Some AU majors include more teamwork-based courses while others are more lecture-based and independent research. Both approaches can prepare you well for future teamwork. For example, lectures provide an opportunity to practice your listening and comprehension skills and analyze the professor’s arguments and logic – the ability that helps develop synergies within the team.
• Interacting with highly accessible and diverse AU faculty will expand your comfort levels in communicating with professionals of different age groups, education, cultures, etc. Meet with professors during office hours, attend faculty led panels, etc. Look for opportunities to work as a teacher assistant, research assistant.
• Many major/minors in humanities, STEM, as well as creative majors specifically focus on fostering creativity, thinking out of the box, and communication skills.
• Language courses, courses on intercultural communication, as well as studying abroad expose AU students to different cultures and help build intercultural competencies. When you are abroad, look for opportunities to experience or learn about work-related values and cultural preferences. Reflect on how different/similar they may be to your preferences.
• Interacting with your peers during group work for your classes teaches a lot about team dynamics, managing conflicts, time-management skills, as well as diversity. Utilize AU advantage as an institution with high shares of students from other countries, states, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints backgrounds. Reflect on your experiences in successful and failed group work. What lessons can you use at the workplace?

• Doing an internship, whether for credit or not, will give you an opportunity to participate directly in a team or observe a team at work.
• Utilize the advantages of the AU location by interning during the academic year in DC and exposing yourself to various workplaces and teams: a federal agency, not-for profit organization, international organization, professional association, art/entertainment organization, etc.
• Given the fact that DC has a diverse workforce comprised of people from different parts of the U.S. and the world, you have excellent opportunities to expand your intercultural competencies.
• At the workplace, continue to be a student, which means to study, through observation and reflection, how productive and non-productive teams operate, to practice good listening, negotiation, and conflict management skills whenever possible.

• As mentioned above, the diverse AU student body provides a lot of opportunities to learn how to interact with people different from you.
• Increase your intercultural competences by attend AU intercultural events organized through ISSS and CDI.
• Expand your experience in teamwork by engaging in student clubs, playing team sports, and participating in volunteering projects. Talk to the Center for Community Engagement and Service.
• Look for self-development opportunities: particularly as they pertain to improving your teamwork skills in the areas of oral communication, time-management, conflict-management, etc. You will find many workshops on campus, which teach these skills. Check regularly Today@AU and the events calendar.

• In your application materials (resume and cover letters), use relevant action verbs and keywords e.g.: collaborate with, worked in x number member team, partner with, interact, communicate, liaise, or serve as a liaison, facilitate, organize, coordinate, etc.
• Be prepared to market your teamwork skills at the job interview. The employer may ask questions directly: e.g., Do you enjoy working with a team or independently? Describe yourself as a team member? The employer will also use behavior questions to learn about your teamwork competencies. Such questions usually start with: “Tell me about the time when…. “ “Give me an example when….. “ Ask your career advisor about typical interview questions, check Career Center books on job interviews, research on-line. Practice giving narratives that highlight your specific experiences. Don’t forget to talk about your experience with diversity, managing and negotiating conflicts.
• Also, make sure to read carefully the job description and explore the employer’s website to understand any special teamwork characteristics required or desired by the specific employer.
• Attend #Ineedajob workshops on resume/cover letters and interviews, offered regularly by the Career Center. Check AU CareerWeb and the events calendar.
• Consult Career Center website resources on resumes and cover letters. Practice and record your mock interview utilizing Interviewstream.
• Schedule an appointment with your career advisor to have your application materials reviewed and prepare for a job interview.

Languages can be divided into human and non-human (animal, machine …) languages. Human languages are those used by humans for communication. All human languages are both natural and artificial. Artificial because all human languages use arbitrary (artificial) signs – words – and because they are manmade. They are all natural due to their deep grammatical structure. The fact that every human language is capable of being learned by any human being proves that they are all natural.
Languages such as Esperanto, pidgins and creoles are normal human languages in the same way as are ethnic languages, dialects and other forms of speech. The basic requirement for any linguistic system to be a human language is that it be in regular use by a community.
Human beings created writing, and then states, and the states established state languages which differ from other spontaneous languages by being standardized. Standard languages are regulated by spelling and pronunciation models, grammar and dictionaries, and they are written. Therefore, changes in such languages are slower than in spontaneous language.

Each person belongs simultaneously to many groups (family, city, region, nation, religion, philosophy, groups of friends, etc.). And each group tends to develop variations of language which demarcate it from other groups. Therefore, each speaker in practice speaks many language varieties, or registers, even if not aware of this. Humans are multilingual by nature.
Each language also tends towards more extensive use than within its own group and each tends towards some use by neighboring groups to facilitate communication. In this sense, some languages continue to grow due to the general strength of their speakers (economic, military, etc.), and the strength and attractiveness of their cultures (cultural products include art, education, religion, entertainment industries …) and become international languages which are more or less widely used.