The recommendations made throughout this book are by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). - PDF
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1 INTRODUCTION This book has been prepared for people with bowel cancer, their families and friends. The first section is for people with bowel cancer, and is intended to help you understand what bowel cancer is, and the various treatments and diagnostic tests available for bowel cancer. This information will help you become well informed about your illness, and should assist you as you make decisions about treatment. You may wish to refer to the first section of this book before you discuss important aspects of your treatment with your doctor. Your doctor should be familiar with the recommendations included. He or she should also be willing to discuss the pros and cons of different treatments, where more than one treatment is available. The second section of the book is for the families and friends of people with bowel cancer. This section provides information on reducing your risk of bowel cancer through a healthy lifestyle, the importance of early detection, and bowel cancer in families. The recommendations made throughout this book are by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). What is cancer? Cancer is a disease of the body s cells. Our bodies are constantly making new cells: to enable us to grow, to replace worn-out cells, or to heal damaged cells after an injury. Almost every cell in the body contains a complete set of genetic blueprints, which controls how our cells function. Normally cells grow and multiply in an orderly way. Occasionally however, if something causes a mistake to occur in these genetic blueprints, some cells behave abnormally. They multiply in an uncontrolled way, and may grow into a lump that is called a tumour. The beginnings of cancer Some benign tumours are precancerous and may progress to cancer if left untreated. Other benign tumours do not develop into cancer. A guide for patients, their families and friends 1
2 Tumours can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumours do not spread outside their normal boundary to other parts of the body. A malignant tumour is made up of cancer cells. If these cells are not treated they may spread into surrounding tissues. If cancer cells spread beyond their normal boundaries then the tumour is malignant, that is, it is a cancer. How cancer spreads Sometimes cells break away from the original (primary) cancer and spread to other organs. When these cells reach a new site they may continue to grow and form another tumour at the site. This is called a secondary cancer or metastasis. What is bowel cancer? The bowel is part of the digestive tract which connects the stomach to the anus, the opening where waste materials (faeces) are passed out of the body. The function of the bowel is to finish digesting food by absorbing water and nutrients. The bowel has three main parts: small bowel this mainly absorbs nutrients from broken-down food colon this mainly absorbs water rectum this stores waste materials (faeces) until they are passed from the body through the anus. The colon and rectum together are known as the large bowel. When we talk about bowel cancer, we are generally talking about cancer of the colon or rectum because cancer of the small bowel is rare. Bowel cancer is also known as colorectal cancer. 2 Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer
3 This booklet also contains references to colon cancer and rectal cancer when specifically distinguishing one form from the other. How common is bowel cancer? Bowel cancer is a major problem in Australia. Apart from skin cancer, it is the most common cancer affecting both men and women, and there are about 10,600 new people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. It is becoming a little more common, especially in men. About one in 18 men and one in 26 women will develop bowel cancer before the age of 75. The older you are, the greater your chance of developing bowel cancer. It affects mainly people over 50, but can occur at any age. Occasionally, people develop bowel cancer while in their twenties and thirties, but this is very rare. Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, along with North America and New Zealand. A guide for patients, their families and friends 3
4 What causes bowel cancer? There are a few people who carry faulty or altered genes that increase their risk of bowel cancer. Genes carry the instructions that control how our bodies grow and develop. We inherit these genes from our parents. Sometimes an altered gene can permit a cancer to develop. If your mother or father had an altered gene like this, it can make your chance of developing the same cancer much more likely. It is important to note that there has never been a family where everybody gets bowel cancer. Bowel cancer in families (p65) discusses the risk of bowel cancer in your family. For most people, it is not the genes we were born with, but our age and diet that contribute to developing bowel cancer. Section 2 discusses the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise for reducing an individual s risk of bowel cancer. 4 Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer
6 1: HOW DOES BOWEL CANCER START? Bowel cancer seems to start in two different ways. It can grow from the inner bowel lining, or from a small raised area that looks like a mushroom, known as a polyp. These polyps, are usually benign (harmless), however some polyps can become cancerous (malignant) and capable of spreading. Polyps are important for people who have already had bowel cancer because they increase your risk of developing a second cancer later on. After being treated for bowel cancer, your doctor will give you regular check-ups to look for either new signs of cancer, or for benign polyps. (See p19 What procedures might I have? ). These check-ups can also be arranged for members of your family if, after discussion with your doctors, they are thought to be at a higher than average risk of developing bowel cancer. For more information, see p65 Bowel cancer in families and p19 What procedures might I have?. 1.1 DOES BOWEL CANCER SPREAD? Bowel cancer spreads (metastasises) beyond the bowel if it is not treated. But it spreads fairly slowly, more slowly than some other cancers. It can stay in the bowel for many months or years before moving outside it, first to the lymph nodes, then to other organs. This gives doctors a chance to completely cure the cancer by surgery. Lymph nodes are more commonly known as glands. We have them in many parts of our body the lymph nodes in our neck, our groin and under our arms are the ones we can feel. But we also have them around our bowel. Bowel cancer is highly treatable when it is detected in its earliest form, even if it has spread to regional (nearby) lymph nodes, but less so if it has spread to other organs such as the liver. When it has spread to other organs, there are many treatments that can help, but a cure is much harder to obtain. That is what makes it so important to detect bowel cancer early, before it has spread to other organs. 1.2 WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF BOWEL CANCER? Your chances of cure depend on the stage at which your cancer is diagnosed. There are a number of different ways to describe the different stages of bowel cancer, but one method uses the terms A, B, C and D. Stage A cancer is confined to the bowel wall. Stage B cancer has spread to the outer surface of the bowel wall and not beyond. Stage C cancer has spread to lymph nodes outside the bowel wall and not beyond. Stage D cancer is where there is known to be distant metastases. A guide for patients, their families and friends 7
7 How does bowel cancer start? According to figures collected in South Australia between 1977 and 1994, 88 per cent of people with Stage A bowel cancer are alive five years after they are diagnosed and treated. Although it is not a hard and fast rule, bowel cancer is unlikely to come back in people who are well and have no signs of it after five years. The figures for people at other stages are 70 per cent for Stage B, 43 per cent for Stage C and 7 per cent for Stage D. Proportion of people alive five Stage of cancer at diagnosis years after their diagnosis A confined to the bowel wall 88% B spread to the outer surface of the bowel wall and not beyond 70% C spread to lymph nodes outside the bowel wall and not beyond 43% D where there is known to be distant metastases 7% Overall, about 56 per cent of people who have had their bowel cancer successfully removed are alive five years after their diagnosis. This figure seems to be improving slightly, both in Australia and in other parts of the world. It is important to note that these survival statistics represent the average number of people alive five years after their diagnosis, and do not represent a single person s chance of survival. Many factors influence an individual s prognosis, so these figures can at best only serve as a guide to a person s chance of cure. 8 Guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer
Criminal appeals. Page 1 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July PDF
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2 About this guidance An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This guidance tells Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams about the different types of criminal case appeals and the people who you investigate. It tells you what you must do if an investigation assigned to you is the subject of an appeal and gives advice on the process when a case is the subject of: an appeal against sentence or conviction imposed by a magistrates court an appeal against sentence or conviction imposed by a Crown court an appeal made by the Attorney General, on your behalf, against an unduly lenient sentence how appeals are handled in Northern Ireland the work of the criminal cases review commission (CCRC) who handle and refer allegations of miscarriages of justice appeals lodged with higher courts, for example: o the High Court o the Court of Appeal o European courts details of who you should refer any appeal to if you receive one Changes to this guidance This page tells you what has changed since previous versions of this guidance. Contact This page tells you who to contact for help with a specific case if your manager can t answer your question. Information owner - This page tells you who the information owners are and tells you how the guidance can be updated. In this section Changes to this guidance Contact Information owner Link to staff intranet removed Safeguard and promote child welfare This page explains your duty to safeguard and Page 2 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
3 promote the welfare of children and tells you where to find more information. Page 3 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
4 Criminal appeals: Changes to this guidance An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page lists changes to the Criminal appeals guidance, with the most recent at the top. Date of the change Details of the change 08 July 2015 Change request: replaced Immigration Enforcement Specialist team with the national single point of contact (SPOC) general housekeeping changes 06 December 2013 Six month review by the modernised guidance team: In this section Contact Information owner Link to staff intranet removed Minor housekeeping and plain English changes throughout. 02 July 2013 Completely revised by the modernised guidance team. Page 4 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
5 An overview of criminal appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams what an appeal is and what you must do if you are told one of your investigation cases is the subject of an appeal. Appeals: a definition In law, an appeal is a process for requesting a formal change to an official decision. If you work in an Immigration Enforcement Investigation team, your work will usually mean you are involved in investigating: criminal cases in a wide range of suspected offences, for example: o immigration facilitation and human-trafficking offences o document offences o money-laundering offences civil cases, for example: o investigations that follow cash seizures, where the objective is to seize the cash if it is proven to be the proceeds of criminal activity, but where an individual is not prosecuted Criminal cases In criminal cases, the defendant is the individual prosecuted for the offence and the prosecution normally ends with a: trial which is either a: o summary trial in a magistrates court o trial on indictment held in a Crown court sentencing hearing, where the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty of the offence, that decides: o whether a custodial (prison) sentence is necessary o the length of any sentence o whether a fine or penalty must be paid Page 5 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
6 o whether another form of punishment or rehabilitation measure should be imposed, for example a period of community service o whether the proceeds of the crime committed should be forfeited or destroyed o whether any other previous offences should be taken into consideration (the legal term for considering any other offences committed by someone when deciding what prison sentence or other punishment should be given to them) If the defendant and their legal representative (normally a solicitor or barrister) wish to contest a decision made during a trial or sentencing hearing, they must lodge an appeal to the courts. Page 6 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
7 Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases An overview of appeals Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams about the sort of appeals you may receive following an immigration enforcement investigation which involved an alleged immigration or false document offence being committed. This guidance also outlines what action to take when you are notified (told) an appeal has been lodged. Related links The role of the National Single Point of Contact Prosecutions brought in the magistrates courts Once the magistrates have reached a decision on an offender s guilt, the defendant has an automatic right of appeal to the Crown court against the: conviction, where: o any witnesses who gave evidence at the magistrates court will normally also have to give evidence to the Crown court sentence issued: o witnesses involved at the magistrates court hearing will not normally have to attend again The defendant and the prosecution (the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)) may also appeal on a point of law or jurisdiction to the High Court by way of a case stated or, more exceptionally, ask for the magistrates court decision to be judicially reviewed. The defendant is often called the appellant this is the suspected offender or defendant if that person has been charged with an offence. Situation The appellant lodges an appeal against: Action required by the appellant The appellant must lodge a notice of appeal within 21 Action that you must take If you receive a notice of appeal you must Page 7 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
8 the verdict the sentence given days of the verdict or sentence to the: clerk to the justices prosecution (the CPS) immediately: forward a copy to the CPS lawyer who handled your case (they will then be able to advise you whether you need to take further action) inform the national single point of contact (SPOC) for more information, see related link Either the appellant or the prosecution lodge an appeal by way of a case stated against a point of law or jurisdiction. The applicant must ask the magistrates to state a case on which they have based their decision. This appeal must be submitted to the magistrates within 21days of the day on which the court sentences the defendant. If you receive a notice of appeal to state a case on a point of law or jurisdiction you must immediately: forward a copy to the CPS lawyer who handled your case (they will then be able to advise you whether you need to take further action) inform the national single point of contact (SPOC) - see details below Page 8 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
9 Prosecutions brought in the Crown courts In the same way as with magistrates court appeals, the defendant can seek leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal against: conviction o this includes being able to argue against a legal point the sentence issued In all cases which involve a Crown court appeal, the CPS lawyer will deal with all appeal applications, but they may ask for your help or input by providing evidential papers. If you receive notification of a Crown court appeal directly (because either the appellant or the court sent it to you instead of to the CPS), you must immediately send a copy of the appeal to the: CPS lawyer who is dealing with your case Immigration Enforcement national single point of contact (SPOC) - for more information on the SPOC see related link Page 9 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
10 The role of the national single point of contact An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams about the role of the Immigration Enforcement National Single Point of Contact (SPOC) when you receive notification that an appeal has been lodged in connection with one of your investigations. The National Single Point of Contact (SPOC): specialises in providing advice and guidance to investigation managers and officers on criminal investigations is the single point of contact for all criminal appeals that affect criminal investigations and prosecutions External links Link to staff intranet removed Contacting the national SPOC You must inform the national SPOC as soon as possible if: you receive notification of a criminal appeal against one of your prosecutions in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), you decide to lodge an appeal against a: o point of law o court s decision to acquit a defendant o sentence awarded that is thought to be unduly lenient Page 10 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
11 The national SPOC contact details for criminal appeals are: Official sensitive - do not disclose start of section The information in this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home Office use only. Official sensitive do not disclose - end of section Page 11 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
12 Attorney General appeals An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams about the Attorney General, and their role in appealing certain issues on behalf of the Home Office. The Attorney General is the main legal advisor to the UK government. The Attorney General: has supervisory powers over the prosecution of criminal offences in the UK sometimes determines whether bringing a prosecution to the courts is in the public interest is sometimes referred to as the solicitor general for England and Wales o there is a separate attorney general for Northern Ireland (NI) who is sometimes referred to as the advocate general for NI does not get personally involved with prosecutions and investigations led by government departments such as the Home Office External link Advocates used by the CPS Criminal Justice Act 1988 The Attorney General can appeal against any court decisions which affect immigration enforcement investigations, but most often will appeal on the Home Office s behalf where they believe a sentence handed down by a court is unduly lenient. Unduly lenient sentence: definition An unduly lenient sentence is one where the: sentence issued by the court judge or magistrate falls outside the range of sentences specified in law (after the judge or magistrate has considered any mitigating factors) prosecuting department believes the punishment given to the offender by the courts is not strict enough The Attorney General will usually become involved in an appeal when: Page 12 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
13 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) ask them to intervene: o the CPS lawyer will discuss any appeal with the immigration enforcement team before contacting the Attorney General another interested party, such as the victim of the crime or a member of parliament (MP), believes that the offender s punishment is insufficient media coverage of the case means that the Attorney General believes that it is in the public interest to lodge an appeal to increase the offender s punishment Unduly lenient sentences: appeals The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (subsections 35 and 36) empower (allow) the Attorney General to appeal to the Court of Appeal about certain decisions made by a magistrates or Crown court. The Court of Appeal: sits (hears and decides upon appeal cases) at the Royal Courts of Justice in London hears appeals against decisions made by other courts, sometimes known as the lower courts, these are: o the High Court o county courts across England and Wales, for example a magistrates court or a Crown court o certain tribunals such as the immigration appeal tribunal The Attorney General can apply to: the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against a prison sentence thought to be exceptionally lower than expected make an application to the Court of Appeal to review sentences heard in the Crown court: o the Court of Appeal can quash (withdraw) the sentence o replace it with a heavier sentence, which the lower court had the power to pass The Attorney General, or the defence, may refer any point of law that arises as a result of the increased sentence to the House of Lords. Page 13 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
14 If it is felt a court s action has resulted in an unduly lenient sentence, an application for review must be filed with the Registrar of Criminal Appeals within 28 days of sentencing. Any decision to invite the Attorney General to refer such a case is to be made at Commissioner level. What you must do if you receive notification of an appeal The Home Office will usually ask the CPS to deal with all such appeals. When an appeal has been lodged for one of your investigations, you must send the CPS lawyer: transcripts of the pleas of mitigation and sentencing : o when the court judge or magistrate decides on a punishment for someone found guilty of a criminal offence, the judge or magistrate must consider any mitigation (reasons or excuses for the offender s role in the crime) which can sometimes reduce the maximum level of punishment that would otherwise have been given o the judge or magistrate must use legal guidelines which show the minimum and maximum sentence that can be given for each offence, together with the recommended mitigation reductions o the courts must make and retain a transcript (typed record) of the sentence and mitigation details used by the judge or magistrate. In all immigration enforcement cases, the investigation officer must ask the court to provide a copy of this transcript even if no appeal will be considered later the prosecution advocate s opinion and any documentation, which must be prepared within the 28 day time limit: o a prosecution advocate is a solicitor or legally trained person who will sometimes work on behalf of the CPS if the CPS lawyer cannot attend the court hearing themselves For more information about advocates used by the CPS, see related link. Page 14 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
15 Appeals made in Northern Ireland An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact This page tells you about immigration enforcement investigation cases that lead to an appeal through the courts in Northern Ireland. The UK does not have a single unified judicial courts system there are different courts and processes in place for: England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Related links The role of the National Single Point of Contact External links Courts and tribunal service - Northern Ireland There are some exceptions to this where one system covers the whole of the UK, for example, the Asylum and Immigration Chamber makes decisions which affect any case within the UK. The court system of Northern Ireland (NI) includes civil and criminal courts. Both are responsible for the administration of justice in NI and follow NI law. NI magistrates court appeals The Home Office or a defendant can appeal to the NI county court against decisions made by NI magistrates courts, specifically against a: conviction: o this takes the form of a second hearing of the case at the county court o witnesses who gave evidence in the magistrates court will normally have to give their evidence again to the county court sentence awarded: o witnesses are not normally expected to give evidence again at the county court when the appeal is against a sentencing decision only Page 15 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
16 In Belfast and Londonderry, the county courts are also referred to as recorders courts. If a defendant wishes to appeal against a decision of a magistrates court they must: do so within 14 days of the date of the magistrates decision give notice of appeal to the clerk to the justices and to the complainant (the Home Office immigration enforcement investigation team) If the defendant pleaded guilty to the offence, they may appeal against the sentence but not usually against conviction. Both parties may appeal on a point of law alone, by asking the magistrates to state a case for the opinion of the Court of Appeal. What you must do if you receive notification of an appeal If you work in a NI Immigration Enforcement Investigation team (or in another UK team but your case is being dealt with by a NI court) and you receive notice of an appeal from a defendant, or a NI court, you must send a copy of the appeal immediately to the: director of public prosecutions for Northern Ireland (DPP NI), and include the: o notice of appeal o full evidence bundle used in the prosecution Immigration Enforcement national single point of contact (SPOC) - for more information on the national single point of contact, see related link All other action is taken by the DPP (NI). Sometimes you may receive the notice of appeal from the clerk to the justices, when this happens you must: ask the clerk to the justices to forward a copy of the notice to you make sure that a copy is sent to the DPP (NI) immediately and phone them to make Page 16 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
17 sure it has been received inform the SPOC Sometimes, the defendant may send you a copy of their notice of appeal directly. Where this happens you must: tell the defendant that they must lodge the notice with the court immediately inform the DPP (NI) and the SPOC Appeal decisions The decision of the county court judge is final on appeals from the magistrates courts, except where the judge may be asked to state a case on a point of law for the Court of Appeal in the same way as the magistrates court. For further information on the NI courts and tribunal service, see related link: Courts and tribunal service - Northern Ireland. Page 17 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
18 Contact An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells you who to contact if you need more help with a question about criminal appeals. If you have read this guidance and still need more help, you must first ask your line manager. Official sensitive: Do not disclose: Start of section The information in this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home Office use only. In this section Changes Information owner External links Links to staff intranet removed Official sensitive: Do not disclose: End of section Changes to this guidance can only be made by the guidance, rules and forms team (GRaFT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the policy team, using the related link: CI inbox, who will ask GRaFT to update the guidance, if appropriate. The GRaFT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format, style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the related link: Guidance making changes. Page 18 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
19 Information owner An overview of appeals Appeals relating to immigration enforcement investigation cases The role of the National Single Point of Contact Attorney general appeals Appeals made in Northern Ireland This page tells you about this version of the guidance for Criminal appeals, and who owns it. Version 3.0 Published for Home Office 08 July 2015 staff on Guidance owner Official sensitive: information removed Cleared by Director Official sensitive: information removed Director s role Official sensitive: information removed Clearance date 26 June 2013 This version approved for Official sensitive: information removed publication by Approver s role Official sensitive: information removed Approval date 17 April 2015 Changes to this guidance can only be made by the guidance, rules and forms team (GRaFT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the policy team, using the related link: CI inbox, who will ask the GRaFT to update the guidance, if appropriate. The GRaFT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format, style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the related link: Guidance - making changes In this section Changes to this guidance Contact External links Links to staff intranet removed Page 19 of 19 Criminal appeals version 3.0 Published for Home Office staff on 08 July 2015
1 Interview Information From ediscover Career Planning Program How do I prepare for an interview? The job interview is an opportunity to convince an employer that you have the skills and qualities needed to handle a job and to decide whether or not you want the job. Plan carefully for the interview. Learn about the organization before you go so you can demonstrate knowledge of its goals, products, or services and describe how you would contribute to the organization. Here are some things you can do: Then: If possible, talk to one or more people who work for the organization about what it does and how they like working there. For large organizations, call your local library and ask if they have an annual report for the organization. If not, call their Human Resources Development Office and ask for literature about the organization. Try to get a good understanding of the duties and skills which the job requires. Think about your past experience at school, at other jobs, and in volunteer or extracurricular activities. Think of examples of things you have done that are similar to the duties of the job for which you are applying. Think about the questions the employer might ask you. Be sure you have answers for these questions. Prepare a list of references with names, addresses, and phone numbers. Think about the conditions that are most important to you in a job. Think of tactful ways of asking about these things if the employer does not bring them up. How should I dress for an interview? When you are deciding how to dress for an interview, think about how you would dress every day for the job for which you are applying. Then, dress slightly better than that. Choose clothes that you could wear while doing the work on a day when you wanted to look really nice. Some good principles are: Dress conservatively. Do not wear unusual or striking clothing or jewelry. You want the interviewer to be thinking about what you are saying, not about what you are wearing or how you look. Wear sensible, practical clothes that make you look like you know how to focus on your work. Your clothes should let the employer know that you can get the job done. Make sure your clothes look clean and neat. Employers may judge the quality of your work by the quality of your clothes. Wearing sloppy or old clothes implies that you do not care about the quality of your work. Do not chew gum or smoke. Some employers find these habits offensive. After you start a job, you can ask if they are permitted in the workplace. ediscover Interview Information, 1
2 How can I make a good impression in an interview? It is always a good idea to scout the location of your interview ahead of time. When you do so, notice where you can park, or how long it takes you to get to the right place from public transportation. These two things will help you accurately estimate how long it will take you to get to the interview. It is absolutely essential that you get to an interview on time! Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. If you arrive earlier, walk around the area or find a place to relax. When it is time for the interview, introduce yourself to the receptionist or another staff person by saying something like "I am Jane Doe. I have an interview with Mr. Smith at 10:00." Then sit down, look relaxed, and wait patiently. Remember that the employer forms an opinion of you in the first 3-5 minutes. So... Dress appropriately. Greet the interviewer by name with good eye contact and a firm handshake. Be as relaxed as possible. Let the interviewer take the lead, and listen carefully while he or she is talking. When you have an opportunity to talk, be concise in what you say. o Use your best English. o Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer. o Respond adequately to the questions that are asked, but do not ramble. The employer is looking for a responsible person who will work hard, do good work, and get along well with coworkers. Be sure your answers show that you have these qualities. As soon as the interview is over, be sure to write a follow-up letter thanking the employer for the interview. What happens during an interview? During a job interview, the employer takes the lead and explains some of the following kinds of things: The purpose and goals of the organization The role of this office/group within the organization Future plans and goals for this office/group Job duties Management style and expectations Opportunities for promotion Fringe benefits Then, the employer usually asks questions about your training and experience. The way you answer these questions reveals your personality, your problem-solving and coping skills, and your knowledge. When the employer asks you to talk about your skills and experience, relate them directly to the position. Think about your past experience at school, at other jobs, and in volunteer or extracurricular activities. Then: Give examples of things you have done that are similar to the duties of the job for which you are applying. Indicate your willingness to learn new skills you need -- through reading, course work, or taking your own time to learn from others. ediscover Interview Information, 2
3 When you have the opportunity to take the lead, ask questions about the organization or the position. In addition to the one-on-one interview, there are other types of interview formats you should be aware of: Group or Panel Interviews -- Two or more employer representatives interview you alone or in a group with other applicants. Observation Interview -- You are evaluated while conducting a presentation or performing a task. This format may be used when interpersonal relations and teamwork skills are the most essential job factors. Telephone Interview -- Prepare as you would for any other interview, but pay special attention to your verbal presentation. Try to schedule the call in a quiet room free of interruptions. Take notes and have your resume on hand to answer specific questions about your experience. Be aware that a seemingly casual phone conversation with any employer can actually be a screening interview. Virtual Interview -- This format is cost-efficient for an employer located in a distant city, and may occur on- or off-campus using videoconferencing equipment or a PC-mounted camera linked to a special telephone line. What questions might the employer ask? The employer might ask about your skills and experience: Tell me about yourself. What courses did you take that are relevant to this job? Do you know how to...? Have you had experience in...? Did you like... job?... company? Why did you leave... job? Describe your weaknesses. List your five most important strengths. What do you hope to be doing five years from now? What are your goals in life? Why should we hire you instead of the other applicants? Are you willing to take a test related to the duties of this job? Suppose... How would you deal with this situation? What is the minimum salary you would accept? Near the end of the interview, the employer might ask: Could you be available by...? Do you have a good understanding of the job tasks? So, you would be willing to get some additional training in...? Is the travel a matter of concern to you? What questions could I ask? When the employer asks if you have any questions, convey an interest in the organization by asking questions like these: What kinds of career paths are possible? ediscover Interview Information, 3
4 In what areas of the organization do you expect growth? Do you foresee any opportunity for me to expand my skills? What do you see as strengths of the organization? What do you see as potential problems of the organization? What is the organizational structure of the department? As the interview comes to an end, you may ask some closing questions, such as: When do you think you will make a decision? May I call you then (when the decision will be made) to find out what you have decided? Would you like to have my list of references? If you offer me the job, when would you like a decision from me? How is a virtual interview different from a live interview? A virtual interview can be done using the Internet or other broadcasting technology. Sometimes you will not see your interviewer, but will be answering questions either verbally or by typing your responses (like in a chatroom). Video or web conferencing is becoming a popular way for companies to interview remote candidates. Video conference set-ups are available at corporations, many universities, and can also be done from your home by special software and a connection to the Internet. As companies expand their candidate searches nationally, and even internationally, many expect video interviewing to grow in popularity. Generally, the purpose of the video interview is as a pre-screening tool. Candidates are given a list of questions. The interviews take the place of screening performed by human resources recruiters and staffing firms. This helps a hiring manager to get a better idea of how well you communicate and present yourself. Wear solid dark clothing, focus on the interviewer's image, speak clearly, and avoid quick movements. You may keep a resume in front of you for reference. A virtual interview lets employers observe you, your body language, and how you answer questions. To prepare for this type of interview, it's a good idea to practice interviewing while being videotaped. Becoming comfortable with this format and learning to control your body language and expression will help you to communicate verbally and physically with your interviewer. If you have a video camera or a webcam for your computer, you and a friend can practice together. How can I decide which job to accept? One major issue in every job is the salary. You need to know how much other companies pay for this type of work and your level of experience. Ask a placement specialist or librarian to help you find this information. Fringe benefits are an important part of earnings. They may include health (medical, dental, and vision) insurance, time off, sick-leave policy, retirement benefits, life insurance, food, transportation, or clothing assistance, stock in the company, and/or a variety of other possible "perks". Try to decide how much major benefits, such as retirement and health care, are worth so you will be able to compare offers. On the negative side, think about the cost of getting to work, parking, and dressing for work. These costs will ediscover Interview Information, 4
5 differ depending on where you would work, how far it is from your home, and how you would dress while there. Armed with salary estimates, you must decide what a fair salary would be for you and the minimum you would accept. This may vary, depending on the benefits that are offered and the cost of going to work. You may be willing to accept a lower salary in return for better fringe benefits. When you are ready to discuss salary, ask the employer to give you a salary range and to explain the fringe benefits. If you are not happy with the salary, explain your salary preferences and ask if the salary is negotiable. Think about the factors which are most important to you in a job, such as advancement opportunities, not spending too much time driving to work, working for an employer you respect, doing tasks you believe are important, or working for people you like. Decide how well the job rates on these factors. Job offers usually come days to weeks after the interview. When you are offered a job (and the salary has been specified), you may wonder if there will be better offers. Will you be unhappy if you accept this job? How long are you willing to wait for a better job? If you have any doubts about accepting the job, ask for time to think about it. Employers know this is an important decision. It is better to take time to think about your answer than to take the job and wish you had a different job. What can I do if I am not offered a job? Looking for a job may be the hardest job you will ever have. Put as much time into your job search as you would into a job. Be organized and business-like about it. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying. It is painful to receive rejections. For most jobs, 10 to 200 people will apply and 3 to 10 people will be interviewed. Only one will get the job, so many will be rejected. Most people are rejected many times before receiving the first job offer. When you receive a rejection, ask for helpful feedback. Be careful not to sound like you are challenging the decision. Make it clear that you sincerely want to know about anything you can do to improve your chances in the future. Whether you receive an honest answer or not, be sure to thank the person. For fear of legal problems, many employers will not answer this question honestly. If you receive an honest answer, it may be painful for you to hear. Be prepared to thank the person anyway. If you have friends or acquaintances who are also searching for a job, it may help to talk to them. If you are getting more than your share of rejections, find someone who will help you figure out why. ediscover Interview Information, 5
4 College of Arts and Sciences continued from previous page Other MA Other Other Russian Sociology MA Spanish Statistics Women's & Gender Studies College of Arts and Sciences For more information: Undergraduate - Undergraduate (Pre-Health and Pre-Law ) - Graduate - Fine and Performing Arts majors that are offered as a SECOND major in Arts and Sciences Bachelors Other Art Art History & Criticism Dance Music Theatre
7 College of Education and Human Sciences Footnotes 1 College of Education & Human Sciences (CEHS) offers tw o doctoral degrees, both the EdD and the, under three majors: educational studies, human sciences, and psychological studies in education. In addition, CEHS participates in three additional doctoral majors (audiology, educational administration, and nutrition). The Educational Studies major includes six specializations. Instructional Technology; Internet-based Education; and Teaching, Curriculum & Learning are hosted by the Dept of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education. Special Education is sponsored by the Dept of Special Education & Communication Disorders. The Dept of Educational Administration hosts Educational Leadership & Higher Education and co-hosts Architecture Education w ith Architecture. The Human Sciences major includes six specializations. Communication Disorders is housed in the Dept of Special Education & Communication Disorders; Child, Youth and Family Studies and Gerontology are sponsored by the Dept of Child, Youth and Family Studies; Nutrition & Health Sciences is hosted by the Dept of Nutrition & Health Sciences; Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design, is based in the Dept of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design; and Leadership Studies is housed in the Dept of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication. The Psychological Studies in Education major includes four specializations, all hosted by the Dept of Educational Psychology: Cognition, Learning & Development; Counseling Psychology; Qualitative & Quantitative Psychometric Methods in Education; and School Psychology. 2 Options include: Child, Youth & Fam Studies/Journalism; Early Childhood Ed in a Mobile Society; Family & Consumer Sci Ed; Family Science; Inclusive Early Childhood Education 3 Options include: Culinary Science; Nutrition & Dietetics; Nutrition Science, Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science 4 Options include: Merchandising; Textile & Apparel Design; Textile Science; Textiles, Merch & Fash Des/Communications 5 The EdD in Educational Administration is a joint program w ith the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 6 The Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences also participates in the Interdepartmental Nutrition major ( and ). For more information:
8 Teaching Endorsements in the College of Education and Human Sciences Biology Education Latin Education Business, Marketing & IT Education Mathematics Education Chemistry Education Physics Education Earth & Space Science Education Russian Education Elementary Education & Special Education, K-6 Science Education Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education Secondary English, 7-12 Elementary Education Social Science Education English Language Arts Spanish Education French Education Special Education, 7-12 German Education Supplemental Endorsements in the College of Education and Human Sciences Coaching Cooperative Education Information Technology Journalism, 7-12 Speech, 7-12 Theatre, 7-12 A teaching endorsement in Agricultural Education, and supplemental endorsements in Cooperative Education and Horticulture Education, are available through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. A teaching endorsement in Music Education is available through the Hixon-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. Note: Contact specific department or college for minors, options, specializations, supplemental endorsements, and graduatelevel endorsements. For more information:
employer guide career services www.unl.edu/careers UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN Campus Profile Total Enrollment: 24,610 19,383 undergraduate 5227 graduate and professional 9 Colleges 275 Programs of
1 Dear Customer/Developer: Balcones Heights 3300 Hillcrest San Antonio, Texas ext 246 Fax: Development Services Guidelines Welcome to the City of Balcones Heights, we look forward to working with you. This package is intended to provide homeowners, developers, builders, contractors, architects, and engineers information relative to development, construction, and reconstruction of property in Balcones Heights. The following includes City Regulations and requirements for application of building permits and plan review. Permits will not be processed for any reason on Wednesdays due to Municipal Court. Construction Codes, State Laws and City Ordinance have been adopted and apply to construction within Balcones Heights. They provide the minimum requirements to safe guard life, health, public welfare and public property as they related to these safe guards by regulating and controlling the design, certification, construction, alteration, modification, repair, equipment use, occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of all buildings, structures or appurtenances thereto. Codes adopted are as follows: Building Code: Residential Code: Mechanical Code: Plumbing Code: Gas Code: Electrical Code: Existing Buildings: Fire Code: Energy Code: Property Maintenance: Health: International Building Code, 2009 with International Residential Code, 2009 with International Mechanical Code, 2009 with International Plumbing Code, 2009 with International Fuel Gas Code, 2009 with National Electric Code, 2008 with International Existing Building Code 2009, with International Fire Code 2009 with National Fire Protection Association life Safety Code 101 (NFPA 101) International Energy Conservation Code 2009 with International Property Maintenance Code 2009 with Texas Food Establishment Regulations Texas Engineering Practice Act Texas Clean Air Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation Waste Management: (210)
2 When Do I need a permit? Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove concert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the 2009 International Building Code, or to cause any such work to be done shall obtain the required permit. Included in this are the following: 1. Structural 2. Roofing-new and reroof 3. Plumbing-including excavation and or/trenching of water, sewer, and or gas service systems: water heaters and water softener systems. 4. Electrical 5. Mechanical 6. Fire suppression sprinklers and stand pipes 7. Lawn irrigation systems 8. Swimming pools above and in ground type; and spas 9. Fences- new installation and or replacement 10. Signs 11. Paving 12. Accessory buildings- includes storage sheds, greenhouses, gazebos, bath/pool houses 13. Decks What is needed for a permit? Contractor Registration: All contractors are required to be licensed, registered, insured and/or bonded with the City of Balcones Heights. The bond must be issued to the City of Balcones Heights and for the amount of $1,000, The bond must be current and shall remain on file with Development Services for the duration of the license and prior to the issuance of any construction permits. Contractor s Registration: Annual Fee: Concrete for Flatwork $75 Irrigator $75 Sign Contractor $75 Fire Sprinkler $75 Energy Plans Examiner, Architect, Engineer $75 General Contractors $75 HVAC $75 Plumber No Fee Electrician $75 Fire Alarm $75 Pool Contractor $75 Fence $75
3 Sign Electrician $75 Security Alarm $75 Permit Application Requirements: A.)Residential Development 1. Complete Permit Application 2. Two complete sets of construction plans to include: A. full dimensioned site plan B. Required sidewalks, curb cut and driveway locations C. MEP plans D. Engineer sealed foundation plan E. Roof Truss plan F. Residential Check Report 3. Flood Plain Certificate, if located within a flood plain or special flood hazard area 4. Application for accessory permits to include a pool, fence, irrigation system, storage shed, construction trailer, green house, gazebos, etc. B.) Multi Family and Commercial Development 1. Complete Permit Application 2. 2 complete sets of construction plans to include: A. Full Dimensioned Site Plan B. Parking Plan C. Engineer Sealed foundation plan D. Engineer Sealed MEP plans E. Architectural Sealed Design Plans F. Civil Drawings if applicable G. Roof Truss Plan H. Fire Sprinkler/Alarm Plan, if applicable I. Landscape Plan, if applicable J. Irrigation Plan, if applicable K. Comm Check L. Plan Review Fee ASBESTOS SURVEY AND A.D.A. REQUIREMENTS: For renovation or demolition of public buildings and/or commercial buildings there is an asbestos survey report required by Senate Bill 509 effective January 1, If the contractor/owners has any question regarding the survey they can call the Texas Department of Health s asbestos program in Austin, Texas at On commercial renovations ($50,000.00) and new construction the contractor or owner must verify that the individual has submitted their facility for Texas Accessibility standards review, as applicable, with either the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a registered accessibility specialists, or an independent contract provider working on behalf of TDLR. A number for TDLR is ( ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS DIVISION) SENATE BILL 484. EFFECTIVE DATE JUNE 17, 2001.
4 Fee Schedule: Please refer to ordinance for fee schedule (also attached to this document) Any work that is started prior to obtaining a permit will be charged a double fee. Plan Review Plans are reviewed by the Fire Chief, Building Inspector and Development Services. Upon completion of plan review, you will be informed of the plan review status. If plans are approved you will be informed of procedures for permit issuance. If corrections are necessary, a set of plans will be returned to you specifying those corrections and the process for resubmittal. Permits cannot be processed until all contractors are registered with the city. Permit fees are collected at the time of permit issuance. Approved plans shall be available on site during the construction project along with a copy of the approved permit. A permit is authorization to proceed with work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel alter or disregard any of the provisions of the codes and ordinances of the City. Plan changes shall be approved by staff prior to modification of the project. Issuance of a permit shall not prevent the building official or any other reviewing official of the City from requiring at any time a correction of errors in the plans or during construction. Inspection Requirements: Inspections must be requested and scheduled through Development Services at (210) ext 246. The following are inspections required by the City of Balcones Heights. The number and order of inspections may vary based on the extent and type of project. Foundation & Site Inspections: Setbacks Construction Loop Excavation-forms-reinforcing Soil Pipe In or Under slab Underground Electric Rough Inspections: Finish wiring Brick lug/lathe Rough Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning Water Line Gas Service
5 Sewer Line Top Out Plumbing Rough Electric Wiring Poly Seal Insulation Final Inspections: Plumbing Heating Electrical Driveways-Sidewalks, etc. Building Certificate of Occupancy No building shall be occupied nor any change made to occupancy, nor shall any inventory occupy any building other than standard fixtures until after the building official and fire marshal have issued an approved certificate of occupancy. Where occupancy is pending any food/beverage establishment, authorization shall include inspection by the health officer. For additional information or questions regarding the information provided herein, please contact Development Services at (210) ext 246