Should you go ahead and email them to the company now?

Not yet! You should let somebody else proofread them before sending them out. A friend or family member can catch errors that you (and the spell check) may have missed. They can also give you a fresh perspective on things like word choice, what types of information to include, and even the page layout. And the more professional your resume and cover letter look, the better you’ll look as a candidate!

Proofreading can be as simple as asking your roommate to look at your resume on your computer, but you may also want to consider using Word’s powerful Track Changes feature. Track Changes lets the reviewer make any changes they want, and then you can look over them and decide which changes you want to keep. All of the changes will be marked with a different text color, so it’s easy to tell exactly what was changed.

Sometimes, the reviewer may just want to make a suggestion or ask a question, rather than changing something. They can do this by adding comments to your document. The comments will show up in the margin, so you’ll be able to see them easily.

There’s just one final step: Make sure you accept or reject all tracked changes and delete all comments before sending out your document. Otherwise, anyone who reads your document can view them, and a stray comment could be just as damaging to your resume as a spelling or grammar error.

The Track Changes and Comments features in Word 2010 and 2007 are located in the Reviewing tab (in Word 2003, they’re in the Tools and Insert menus). For full instructions on using these features, check out our Reviewing Documents lesson, or watch the video below.

Use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes Feature to Polish Your Documents

To access the Video Explorer, click on the Learn to Read link. When the Reading Program launches, you will see 5 icons on the left and 5 icons on the right. The icons on the left represent the different interactive learning tools available.

Click the Video icon. Next, you will need to choose a word category by using the category icons on the right. Each of the 1,000 most popular words has been broken down into a category or common theme. Categories include topics like Action words, Medical, Transportation, and more. Decide which category you would like to explore through video and click on it.

Next, click on the “Play” button and a variety of word videos will appear. Scroll through the video list, like the one shown below, and press the play button to begin.

Each of the word videos are 10-20 seconds long and give the learner a visual definition of the word. Many of the videos define the words with comparisons. For example, the word “natural” is defined by showing items that are natural, such as fruits and vegetables, and compares them to items that are artificial, like a soft drink. These comparisons help to put the words into real-life context. The videos are tailored to an adult audience and use real-life scenarios. The videos are an excellent method for exposing people to a variety of words and how those words would be used conversationally. Additionally, the videos help users to match the image and sound of a word with its written form.

Check out a few of the word videos below and let us know which one is your favorite!

To see all the videos, visit www.gcflearnfree.org/reading/.

What is Digital Photography?

Digital Photography is a newer form of photography that uses digital technology to capture and produce digital images. This type of photography does not require film or a dark room. And forget about dropping film off at a lab and waiting for it to be developed. With a digital camera you can upload your pictures to a computer and view, save, edit, and share photos within minutes. In this podcast we’re going inside a local camera store to show you what to look for when buying a digital camera.

Types of Digital Cameras

DSLR or the digital single lens reflex camera One of the most popular camera types among professionals and serious amateurs is the single-lens reflex, better known as a digital SLR. These cameras are expensive but have certain advantages over other camera types:

• You can change lenses.
• You see the scene through the lens so what you see is what you get.
• You can select from a large variety of accessories, including powerful flash units.

Fixed Lens Just like their name implies, a fixed lens camera has a lens that can’t be removed. Some higher end fixed lens cameras have a zoom lens and other functions much like the SLR.

Point and Shoot This is the most popular type of digital camera. They have fewer controls, and are small in size. The most popular point-n-shoot are those built into cell phones.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player

Video Notes

The ability to access the Internet from various locations makes it convenient for wireless laptop users. If you’re in an airport, a restaurant, or a park it’s highly likely that there’s a Wi-Fi connection in the area. So, what do you need in order to connect?

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Video Notes

This is the first installment of a series of videos on how to use Camtasia Studio. Camtasia is used to create training and demonstration videos like the Quick Tips and Microsoft videos you see on our site. Camtasia records your computer screen and all of your actions. Editing and enhancing this footage is simple! You have the ability to edit video, audio, and text. When you’re ready to share your video with an audience, there is a Share feature that allows you to produce videos for several different formats, including iPod videos. If you would like to work along with me download a 30-day FREE trial of Camtasia Studio.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It controls the memory needed for computer processes and manages disk space, controls peripheral devices, and allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing exactly how a computer works. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Before we start editing I want to show you how to import audio and insert title clips. To record audio in Camtasia 5 you need to make sure your microphone is connected to your computer and that it’s working properly.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player

Video Notes

Open Office is a free office software suite that works on all types of computers and comes in several languages. The look and feel is very similar to Microsoft Office. In this Quick Tips video, learn how to create and print an envelope using Open Office Writer. To learn more about Open Office take a look at our tutorials.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player

In previous videos we learned how to record a simple video in Camtasia and add audio and title clips. Now let’s move on to basic editing.

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player

Video Notes

There’s a suggested or standard font size that we use when writing a paper. These guidelines don’t apply for a PowerPoint presentation. So how do you know if your font size is too small or too large for your audience?  We have a few suggestions that may help!

Take a look around GCFLearnFree.org to see all the topics we offer.

Can’t see the video? You may need to upgrade your flash player