13.1 Answer the questions:

1. What is a cover letter and how does it differ from a resume?

2. What rules should you remember while writing a cover letter?

3. What is the basic structure of a cover letter?

13.3 Translate the sentences:

1. Ее опыт практической работы невелик, однако она быстро учится.

2. Вот мои рекомендательные письма.

3. К сожалению, я не могу сообщить вам свой рабочий телефон.

4. Прежде чем поступить на эту работу, он прошел курс специального обучения.

5. Список должностей, которые он занимал на протяжение последних пятнадцати лет, очень велик.

6. Вы можете включить в резюме сведения о своих увлечениях и о том, чем занимаетесь на досуге.

7. У него есть серьезное преимущество перед другими претендентами на это место.

8. В этой фирме открылась хорошая вакансия; нужно срочно узнать фамилию заведующего отделом кадров, заново переписать сопроводительное письмо и отослать бумаги.

9. Кажется, я забыл указать свой обратный адрес.

14. Read and translate the text.

THE INTERVIEW.

During the interview an employer judges your qualifications, appearance and general fitness for the position in question. It is your opportunity to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job.

At the same time the interview helps you to decide if the job suits you and whether you want to work for the employer.

To present your qualifications in the best way, you have to prepare. Do not forget the needed papers at home and memorize the necessary information about yourself (your education and training, your work experience and what you know how to do). The following suggestions will help you to make the interview as successful as possible.

1. Arrive early, dressed appropriately and relaxed.

2. Be pleasant and friendly but businesslike. Try to demonstrate confidence, but not too much confidence.

3. Show the employer you are very interested by leaning forward a little.

4. Let the employer control the interview. Your answers should be honest and brief, but complete.

5. Be flexible and cooperative, but give the interviewer a clear idea of your job preferences.

6. Talk about your qualifications without exaggeration. Do not convey an attitude that you know everything and can do everything.

7. Do NOT criticize past or present employers, teachers, schools or colleagues.

8. Don't discuss your personal, domestic or financial problems unless you are asked about them.

9. Don't be in a hurry to ask questions unless the employer invites them. But don't be afraid to ask what you need to know.

10. Be prepared to say the approximate salary you want when you are asked; be realistic in discussing salary.

11. Thank the employer for the interview. If the company cannot use you, ask about other employers who may need a person with your qualifications.

15.1 The following is a sample job interview. Act this dialogue out.

INTERVIEWER We are looking for an executive secretary who has excellent skills as well as good organizational ability. Tell me about your qualifications.

APPLICANT I can take shorthand at 120 words a minute and type 90 words a minute. I have also had experience using IBM word processing equipment. At my last job I reorganized the filing system, planned my boss's travel itinerary, and organized and planned the agenda for the board of directors' meeting.

INTERVIEWER In this job you would also need to answer routine correspondence and telephone inquiries. Have you had any experience in these areas?

APPLICANT When I worked as an appointments secretary, I had to deal with my boss's phone calls and mail, as well as attend to routine matters. It was my responsibility to decide which matters were important and which were trivial.

INTERVIEWER Do you have any questions about the position?

APPLICANT Yes. I would like to know what the possibilities for advancement are within this company.

INTERVIEWER Although this is the top secretarial position within the organization, there are regular salary increases based on the amount of time an employee has served the company, and you can look forward to generous pay increases if you remain with us. Generally, employees are reviewed once a year by their supervisors and decisions about raises are made at that time.