L’association Corse du Royaume-Uni Pasquale Paoli organisait vendredi 3 février la commémoration de cette figure historique de l’Île de Beauté. Un bel hommage rendu dans l’abbaye de Westminster pour un homme au destin étroitement lié à la Grande-Bretagne.

Lire l’article paru dans le petit journal…

One of the most difficult thing you will have to face to will be the language. Even if you learned English at school, it’s not easy to speak a foreign language everyday.

Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster.  There are many different ways you can improve your English, so don’t limit yourself to only one or two. Here you will find some useful links to find which method is the best for you.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-english-gateway.htm

http://www.gymglish.co.uk/english

Patience and Effort: The time you will put into learning will make a great difference. Like every other skill, practice makes perfect.

Planning or changing your career can be a daunting process. To help you on your way, here are a few basic guidelines to consider.

The following websites may be useful to you.

Many of the larger job boards have useful careers advice and you may also find the following government websites useful ;

www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk – the government’s general career site

www.prospects.ac.uk – the government’s general graduate career site

Good luck !

Related posts:

1. Career Planning – getting started

Read the report of the “Petit Journal’ (in French):
http://www.lepetitjournal.com/content/view/53768/1179/

In 2007, to mark two centuries since Paoli’s death, the Amicale Pasquale Paoli initiated and sponsored a commemorative green plaque for Pasquale Paoli placed on the front façade of 77 South Audley Street, W1 (map).

The plaque has been unveiled on Friday 16 June 2008 during a ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Louise Hyams and Cllr Robert Davis, .

Pasquale Paoli commemorative green plaque in 77 South Audley Street, London

The City of Westminster Cabinet Member Report says:

Pasquale Paoli was the Che Guevara of the 18th century – probably the
greatest fighter for freedom of that century and an inspiration to democrats the world over. Not only that, he was a great intellectual and wrote a constitution for a fledgling nation that inspired the writers of the American Constitution. He was praised by Voltaire, Rousseau and Hume. The father of the Corsican nation and one of the great men of European history, he merits the honour of a green plaque as a lasting testament to his achievements.

Policy context:
« The commemorative Green Plaques scheme complements a number of Council strategies: to improve the legibility and understanding of Westminster’s heritage and social history; to provide information for Westminster’s visitors; to provide imaginative and accessible educational tools to raise awareness and understanding of local areas, particularly for young people; to celebrate the richness and diversity of Westminster’s former residents. »

Read the official press release “Freedom fighter of the 18th century to be commemorated in Westminster”

Related posts:

1. Where Pasquale Paoli lived in London?

Pasquale Paoli spent a total of 32 years in England through two periods:

• From 1769 to 1789,  his first exile after the defeat of Ponte Novu against the French.
• From 1795 to 1807, his second exile after the creation of the Anglo-Corsican kingdom.

Here are the places where he lived:

• 1769: Baker Street and Old Bond Street
• 1772: Albemarle Street
• 1773: Jermyn Street and Hill Street
• 1778: 77 South Audley Street – with the commemorative green plaque
• 1784: Upper Seymour Street
• from 1799 at 1 Edgware Road where he died (1807)

Where Pasquale Paoli lived in London? –  Click to see it on Google map

Related posts:

1. Commemorative Green Plaque for Pasquale Paoli

Planning or changing your career can be a daunting process. Remember the clearer your objectives are, the more effective we can be.

To help you on your way, here are a few basic guidelines to consider.

Research, research, research! Use the internet, newspapers, even your local library will have a careers section. Know what the possibilities are and think big!

• Temp to perm opportunities can present an excellent opportunity to try before you buy. They may also secure a way in to a role where the permanent entry requirements may be too stringent for your qualifications.
• Keep up! – Emerging markets and new industries represent exciting development opportunities in terms of languages and skills which may speed up your career progress. Make sure your skills are up to date and relevant for your chosen career.
• Keep at it – competition for the best jobs is always going to be tough and you may not be successful first time. Think of all the options – is there another entry path, is there an intermediate move you need to make or do you just need to stick with it?

If you are clear about the type of multilingual work you want, consider the type of company and working environment which suits you best.
Consider the size, culture, location, industry.
What working environment do you prefer – pressurized, calm, nurturing?
What do you expect for your own personal development – is ongoing training a prerequisite?

Related articles:

• Applying for jobs in UK
• CV advice
• Interview advice
• Tax & National Insurance advice
• Useful Links

Related posts:

1. Career Planning – getting started

The following websites may be useful to you.

General careers advice

Many of the larger job boards have useful careers advice and you may find the following government websites useful;

www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk – the government’s general career site

www.prospects.ac.uk – the government’s general graduate career site

Work permits and visas

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk UK Border Agency and www.ukvisas.gov.uk for advice on working in the UK for non UK and non EU nationals

National Insurance number application

www.direct.gov.uk and search the site for ‘NI number’

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Languages

www.iol.org.uk Institute of Linguists

www.iti.org.uk Institute of Translation and Interpreting

www.wmin.ac.uk/page-8496 University of Westminster evening language learning programme

Getting around

Tube journey planner

National Rail timetable

www.streetmap.co.uk

Money and finance

www.moneyextra.com for financial advice and comparing financial products for savings and loans

www.hmrc.gov.uk for UK tax advice and queries

General advice

www.direct.gov.uk – the general government website for all public services including opening bank accounts, registering with medical services, employment and general rights

• National Insurance – as soon as you start working in the UK, you will need a National Insurance number.  If you do not have one, you should apply for a National Insurance number from your local Jobcentre Plus office (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk) as soon as possible – remember to take your passport with you together with proof of work.  For further information, visit www.direct.gov.uk, search the site for ‘NI number’ and follow the instructions.

• Tax Code – Your employer will need your P45 AS SOON AS you start working so they we can make sure you don’t pay too much tax!  They will request a P46 form if you cannot supply a current P45 to help your tax code in order.

• P45 – once you have completed an assignment with us, please let us know if you require a P45 and this will be issued after your last payment with us.

• Request the details of your employer’s tax office if you require a rebate or have specific tax queries.

As info please find the address below:

HM Inspector of Taxes London Provincial 10
Fountain Court, 119 Grange Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 2AU

Telephone:  0191 566 0484

District reference: L42300

Here are a few guidelines to help make your interview a success:

1. Be prepared.  Find out as much as you can about the company you are going to see.  Research as fully as possible about the vacancy and check their website or go to the City Business Library, 1 Brewers Hill Garden, off London Wall, EC2 for extra information.

2. Arrive on time.  Plan your journey, clarify addresses and ensure you have time to arrive with more than a few minutes to spare.  Arriving hot and flustered is not going to enhance your chances of a successful interview. You need a clear, focussed head from the start.

3. Make a good first impression. It is said that a decision is made in the first 3 minutes of an interview. Smart, clean and neat presentation, a confident introduction and a firm handshake are essential.  Dress appropriately for the company and in general avoid wearing all black or anything too sombre or flamboyant. Don’t chew gum or have overpowering perfume. In all, you do not need to be remembered for the wrong reasons.

4. Be aware of your body language.  Try and relax, be yourself and avoid any extremes like slouching or over enthusiastic gesticulations!  Being too intense can be as off putting as being too laid back.

5. Try to establish a rapport with the interviewer. Eye contact and a positive smile inspire confidence.  In informal interviews, don’t become overly familiar and in interrogation-style situations, don’t be put off:  the interviewer may simply be testing you in different situations.  Stay calm, firm and professional and keep things in perspective.

6. Listen to the questions.  Never jump in with an answer before the interviewer has finished the question and never ponder over an answer, leaving an embarrassing silence.  Be honest.  If you don’t understand a question, ask.  If you don’t know the answer, say so, and explain that you are willing and eager to learn.

7. Avoid ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers.  Each question is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your suitability for the job but don’t waffle and don’t overdo it – the interviewer will make his/her own mind up that you are the right person for the job without being told.

8. Prepare for the common questions in advance so that you are not caught off guard.  Strengths/weaknesses, ambitions, long-term plans and achievements are often asked about.  Try to anticipate which situations are most likely to arise in the job, as the interviewer may want to know how you would deal with a specific problem or ask you to take part in a role play.  Be prepared to back up your statements with evidence and practical examples from your experience.  A good recruitment consultant will offer advice about how to tackle these if you are unsure.

9. Never criticise your current or previous employer.  Prospective employers hate this and could see it as what you might say about them a few years down the line.  Always use positive reasons (such as prospects or individual development) when asked your motive for leaving.  Avoid any mention of personality clashes.

10. Believe in what you say and your enthusiasm and interest will win through.  The interviewer will be seeing applicants of similar experience and background – it is always personality that wins the day.

11. Always have questions you can ask the interviewer about the company.  These should be considered and appropriate and should not relate to salary or conditions of employment – these are issues for discussion at a later stage.  Questions you may want to raise could include:

a. What are the company’s plans for the next five years and how does this particular department fit in?  This is a clever way of asking how big is my job going to get and what are my chances of promotion.

b. What are the actual day to day responsibilities of the job?  This should give you a clearer picture of what you will actually be doing.

c. Could you describe your management style and the type of employee that works well with you (in other words are we going to get on?).

d. How important is this department in relation to the other sectors of the company? This will determine hierarchy and any threatened cutbacks.

12. Don’t forget to thank them for seeing you at the end of the interview.  If you are interested in the position then say so.  Always depart with a firm handshake.

Remember that an interview is not a trial: it is an excellent opportunity to exchange information and explore a possible opportunity.  Try and enjoy it!

Keep on touch with the company afterwards, or contact your consultant after the interview so that feedback can be passed on to the client.  This will confirm your enthusiasm for the role.  It may be important for your success to do this promptly and will ensure that you receive your interview feedback sooner.

HOPE THESE TIPS PROVE HELPFUL.  GOOD LUCK!