МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ, НАУКИ, МОЛОДІ І СПОРТУ УКРАЇНИ

НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ УНІВЕРСИТЕТ «ЛЬВІВСЬКА ПОЛІТЕХНІКА»

HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB

МЕТОДИЧНІ ВКАЗІВКИ

до практичних занять

з дисципліни “Ділова англійська мова”

для студентів напряму 020303 “Філологія”

Затверджено

на засіданні кафедри

прикладної лінгвістики.

Протокол № від 14.04.2011 р.

Львів – 2011

How to Apply for a Job: Методичні вказівки до практичних занять з дисципліни “Ділова англійська мова” для студентів напряму 020303 “Філологія” / Укл.: О.І. Залуцька, О.В. Кулина., О.В. Шерстньова. – Львів: Видавництво Національного університету «Львівська політехніка», 2011. – 32 с.

Укладачі Залуцька О.І., асист.,

Кулина О.В., асист.

Шерстньова О.В., ст.викл.

Відповідальний за випуск Левченко О.П., д.ф.н., доц.

Рецензенти Андрейчук Н.І., к.ф.н., доц. кафедри ПЛ

Національного університету “Львівська

політехніка”;

Бик І.С., к.ф.н., доц., зав. кафедри

іноземних мов факультету

міжнародних відносин ЛНУ ім. І. Франка

ВСТУП

Професійна самореалізація особистості здебільшого залежить від її/його професійної компетенції, вміння адаптуватися, реалізовувати свої професійні здібності, нахили, інтереси, здатності бути мобільним у професійному самовизначенні та кар’єрі. Навчальний процес покликаний наблизити ситуацію до реальних умов професійного спілкування шляхом формування зацікавленості студентів та забезпечення переходу від пізнавальної мотивації до професійної.

Для розвитку умінь ділового спілкування навчальною програмою підготовки бакалаврів на кафедрі прикладної лінгвістики НУЛП передбачено курс “Ділова англійська мова”. Він призначений для: 1) ознайомлення студентів з ключовими концепціями сучасного ділового світу, бізнесу та підприємництва; 2) вдосконалення мовних та мовленнєвих навичок, необхідних для ефективного функціонування фахівця в інтернаціональному діловому середовищі; 3) поглиблення фонових культурологічних і країнознавчих знань.

У результаті вивчення дисципліни, фахівець повинен знати граматичні, лексичні та стилістичні особливості ділового стилю, правила ведення ділової кореспонденції і, зокрема, написання ділового листа та резюме.

Методична розробка має на меті розширити та поглибити знання студентів з теми “Applying for a Job”, яка є складовою частиною курсу “Ділова англійська мова”. Структура вказівок включає: 1) принципи складання резюме і супровідного та рекомендаційного листів; 2) вказівки щодо основних аспектів проходження співбесіди при влаштуванні на роботу; 3) комплекс вправ для закріплення навичок ділового листування та самоконтролю опрацьованого матеріалу. Окрему цінність мають рекомендований список літератури до теми і нормативні зразки супровідних листів, рекомендацій та резюме, а також розширений перелік характерних запитань потенційного роботодавця під час співбесіди.

У курсі ділової англійської мови тема “Applying for a Job” є однією з найвагоміших, оскільки перспектива працевлаштування є важливою для всіх студентів відділення прикладної лінгвістики. Враховуючи актуальність методичних вказівок, слід зазначити, що вони можуть бути також використані при викладанні англійської мови для студентів інших спеціальностей ІКНІ та НУЛП.

Job applications and CVs

Any letter almost inevitably puts the writer on show. This is never more crucially the case than when you are trying to make a favourable impression on a possible employer. Moreover, many employers are actu­ally looking for people who ‘can communicate effectively^’. A large part of effective communication takes place on paper. Letter-writing skills are therefore an asset to an applicant, so the letter of application is doubly important because it gives the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate those skills.

In many cases, a letter of application will be accompanied by a curriculum vitae (CV) giving details of your background, education, previous experience, etc. The two should be thought of together. Part of the purpose of the letter is to point out key aspects of the CV, but it can also include material that does not fit within the schematic framework of a CV as well as giving a more general impression of your personality, interests, and capabilities.

Preparations

You will need to give serious thought to the question of what precisely it is that makes you a suitable candidate for the job for which you are applying. There are three basic questions to ask: what training and experience do I have?; what skills have I acquired in addition to my formal training?; what is it about me as a person that would make me an asset to this employer? These questions can be used to produce notes that will form the basis of both the letter of application and the CV.

The answers to the first question should cover the whole of your formal education and training and the jobs you have had. You should also note any activities, such as voluntary work or periods of foreign travel, that have filled the time when you were not actually being educated or employed. The second question should be used to state in a rather more detailed way what you actually did in each of the positions you have been employed in and what you gained by doing them. When I worked as an A for B, in addition to the usual work of an A, the job involved C and I learnt how to do D. Organizational, supervisory, or training skills, for instance, are often acquired in the course of doing a job, even though the original job description did not include any of these. It is also quite possible that you have acquired other skills outside work. Acting as, for instance, a school governor or a referee for local sports teams might have enabled you to acquire skills that could be usefully transferred into working environment.

The third question is in some ways the most difficult to answer - at least for people who prefer to be self-effacing and are inhibited about putting themselves forward. A list of adjectives that honestly and accurately describe your positive personal qualities will usually suffice: I am honest/hard-working/painstaking/easy to get on with, etc. It may help to ask a trusted friend for his or her honest opinion.

Having made these notes, you are in a position to compose your letter of application and CV.

Letters of application

The general guidelines for writing business letters apply equally to letters of application. Letters of application should be carefully written, prefer­ably typed or word-processed, and presented on good-quality paper. The opening paragraph should refer to the particular post for which you are applying and mention where you saw the advertisement for the job or who or what prompted you to apply. The main body of the letter should be devoted to giving as positive a picture as possible of your own abilities and suitability for the post, and of the job itself. It is important to give reasons why the job appeals to you. Finally, you should end by mentioning anything enclosed with the letter that has not been mentioned before and state your willingness to attend an interview and to provide any further information that might be necessary.

All this, however, should be kept short. You need to make an impression without taking up too much of the reader's time. A typical letter applying for an advertised post might look like this:

99 Western Road

Aylesbury

Bucks

HP19 9QY

Tel 01296 123456

23 May 2001

Mr Christopher Wray

Personnel Manager

ZPT Enterprises

273-278 Lincoln St

Royston

Herts

CB27 8HY

Dear Mr Wray

Post of personal assistant to financial director

I am writing to apply for the above position advertised in the last Wednesday's Guardian.

As you will see from my CV, which I enclose with this letter, I have considerable experience as a secretary and personal assistant. I am cur­rently working as a personal assistant to Mr John Clarke, managing director of Perkins and Hodge Ltd in Aylesbury. My work there includes running the company's payroll database in addition to organizing Mr Clark's appointments and general secretarial duties. I have a full range of sec­retarial skills, including shorthand and audio-typing, and have also been on several courses to improve my knowledge of computers, especially the handling of databases.

Two aspects of this post attract me in particular. First, I should like to gain more experience on the financial side to build on the skills which I have developed in running my present company's payroll. Secondly, I should like the greater scope and responsibility offered by a larger com­pany with international connections.

I believe that I have the qualifications for this post. In addition, I am efficient, hard-working and – so other people tell me – easy to get on with. I would welcome the chance to discuss the job further with you at an interview. If you require any further information, please get in touch with me at my home address, given above.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Signature

Judith Greene

The situation is slightly different if you are writing speculatively, per­haps writing to several companies in the hope that one of them has a vacancy. The basic principles remain the same, however. The following is the sort of letter that a school- or college-leaver might usefully write when trying to find an opening.

6 Harbour View

Newport

Pembbrokeshire

Wales

SA 43 3 PF

22 April 2011

The Editor

East Wales Observer

PO Box 9987

Pontypridd

CA36 8JJ

Dear Editor

I am writing to ask whether by any chance there is a junior post at the East Wales Observer for which I might be suitable and could apply.

I have just completed a course in English and Journalism at the University of the West of England and gained a 2.1 degree. While I was at school and college I took every opportunity that came my way to gain experience as a journalist. I edited my school magazine and, after working previously on the social and sports pages, also became editor of the university newspaper in my final year. I have had work experience with several newspapers and magazines, including a three-month placement with the Bristol Evening Echo.

My special interest is in sport, particularly rugby. My ultimate aim is to become a sports correspondent or sports editor, but, to be frank, I have never wanted to do anything else but be a journalist. I should be willing to consider any post that would enable me to get a first foot on the ladder. I am energetic and hard-working, I think I have an eye for a good story, and I am never late for deadlines.

I should also mention that I hold a full driving licence and am fluent in Welsh.

In addition to my CV, I enclose two specimen pieces that I have written reporting on events in the Newport area. If you have an opening - even the merest chink in a door - I would be most grateful if you would get in touch.

Yours sincerely

Signature

Neville Johns

or

Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing to apply for the position of English teacher.

As you will see from my CV, which I enclose with this letter, I have considerable experience as an English teacher. I am currently working as an English teacher at Lviv Polytechnic National University (Department of Applied Linguistics).

Two aspects of this post attract me in particular. First, I should like to gain more experience on the teaching side to build on the skills which I have developed in running my present position. Secondly, I should like the greater scope and responsibility offered by an international school as well as it could also possibly become a treat to cultural diversity.

I believe that I have the qualifications for this post. In addition, I am efficient, hard-working and easy to get on with. I would welcome the chance to discuss the job further with you at an interview. If you require any further information, please get in touch with me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Margaret Collins

• Practice

Write a cover letter in reply to one of the job advertisements (150-200 words):

Editor wanted

Editor needed to direct the publication of new software magazine. At least two years editorial experience needed.

Hours: 8:00 to 5:30 PM. Some overtime required. Send your resume to: P.O. Box 213, Fairview, IN. 46243

Bank manager

Town Bank is looking for a bank manager to head its downtown branch. Seeking individual with 5+ years experience.

Working hours: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Excellent benefits, including attractive retirement plan. Contact newbank@gol.com for more information.

ESL Instructors Needed

Language Academy is hiring qualified candidates for its new intensive program. PT\FT positions available. MA in teaching English as a second language required, plus some foreign language ability. No more than 25 teaching hours per week. AM\PM shifts. Teachers with background in computer literacy preferred. Fax: 567-1243.

CVs

A CV is a visiting card for employment purposes. You should always have one to hand, and it should always be up to date. For suggestions on how to begin compiling a CV.

Unless you are applying for several identical jobs at the same time, each individual job application should be accompanied by a slightly different version of your CV, one that is specifically angled, as far as possible, towards the job in question. Do not simply copy out your basic or most recent CV. Check it carefully to make sure that it is up to date. Then check it again to see whether, by making small adjustments to what you say about yourself, you can highlight aspects of your training or experience that are particularly relevant to the post you are applying for.

For this reason, it may be helpful to keep your basic CV in a skeleton or all-purpose form that you know has to be filled out or rearranged before you send it out. You should keep a copy of every version that you do send out - together with a note of who you sent it to - both so that you know what interviewers have in front of them if you are called for interview and to save time if you apply again for a similar job. All this is much easier to do if you use a computer or word-processor.

A CV is a potted history of your educational and working life. The standard layout for a modern CV lists your educational achievements and professional appointments in reverse chronological order. The point of listing these in reverse order is to give prominence to your most recent and presumably most senior appointment. At the mid-point of your career, you will not want what you did at school or the series of small and relatively junior jobs that you did after leaving school or college to head the list. You should also briefly list your interests outside work and give the names of two referees (having first checked with the people involved that they are willing to provide a reference – see ‘Job references’). If, for any reason, you do not give the name of a referee from the organization that you are currently working for, it is usually advisable to explain why in your letter of application.

The whole CV should, if at all possible, fit onto one side of a sheet of A4 paper. A typical CV might look like sample 1 and sample 2:

Sample 1:

Margaret Collins

19/41 Yavornytskoho Street

79054 Lviv

Ukraine

Tel: +38032 2543234

Mob: +380677775489

e-mail: mcollins@yahoo.com

Personal details

Sex female

Nationality Ukrainian

Date of birth November 13, 1968

Place of birth Lviv region, Ukraine

Work experience

2007-present English teacher

Lviv Polytechnic National University, Department of Applied Linguistics, Lviv, Ukraine

2004-2007 English teacher, teacher of Business English

Youth Educational Centre of Don Bosco, Lviv, Ukraine

Education

2004-2008 English language and literature

Lviv National University of Ivan Franko,

Lviv, Ukraine

2002. MA, Intercultural Theology, Eastern Christian Studies

University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

2000. Philosophy, Theology, Ancient Greek

Lviv Theological Academy (now Ukrainian Catholic University), Lviv, Ukraine

Training

August 2006 Teacher Training Seminar in English

Advanced language practice – grammar

Kent School of English, Broadstairs, England

Languages

Ukrainian – native

English – excellent

Russian – excellent

Polish – sufficient

Dutch – sufficient

Interests

Languages

Foreign travel

Sport

Referees

Mr. A.V.Hills Ms Denise Warren

Director of Youth Educational Director of Kent School

Centre of Don Bosco of English

67 Stryjska street PO Box 789

79056 Lviv, UA Broadstairs, UK

Sample 2:

Marta Golovko

206 2 Zamarstynivska Street

79068 Lviv

Ukraine

+38 097 863 62 06

E-mail: beyonce.ua@gmail.com

Objective: To obtain a post of waitress

Experience: 2007 - present, “Ra group”, consultant

Skills: Ukrainian – mother tongue

Fluent in reading, writing and speaking Russian and English

Ability to work under pressure and according to the

schedule

Advanced PC user: Office and Internet

Education: 2006 - present Lviv National University named by Ivan

Franko

Economy faculty

Economics of enterprise

1996 - 2006 Secondary school # 23, Lviv

Achievements: 2003-2006- head of the informational and elucidative department of the school parliament.

We edited school newspapers “Our School 23” 2006 - finished school with the gold medal (the highest achievement in school education)

During studies at school took part in competition on different kind of schools subjects, such as Mathematics, Physics, Ukrainian Language and Literature, Biology.

1996 – 2002 member of a dancing group ‘Polunychka’

2005 – member of a dancing club ‘Ostriv dytynstva’

2006 – present member of dancing group ‘Dalkroz’

Took part in different international competitions in different counties

Interests: Dancing, travelling, doing sports

Referees

Mr V.A.Billy Ms D.Warren

Director of Secondary School #23 English teacher

54 Schevchenko street PO Box 789

79056 Lviv, UA 79088 Lviv, UA

This form of CV works to best advantage if you have a reasonably long and continuous working life behind you. It may look a little sparse at the beginning of your career. Likewise if, for any reason, there have been gaps in your working life, then a chronological presentation will tend to highlight them.

There is an alternative. It involves abandoning chronology, grouping your experience under different headings, and including a brief personal profile. At this stage in your career, what you have done is not very much and what you are really selling to an employer is your personal ability and potential. Thus, the personal profile takes pride of place. The resulting document might look something like this:

Mark Baker

Flat 321

Charles Bradlaugh House

Hale Road

Tottenham

London N17 B68

Tel: 020 8808 1657

e-mail: marcus@tottenham.fiendish.com

Profile

Imaginative website designer with wide-ranging IT skills. Enthusiastic and energetic, used to operating independently but also as part of a team. Able to explain complicated technical matters in simple terms. Also used to problem-solving. Currently still working for an agency in an IT capacity, but looking for a permanent job, preferably in website design.

Training

Diploma in Website Design from North London College

NVQ in computer skills and database management

Skills

Website design Database management

Website management Computer maintenance

Computer graphics Data inputting

Experience

Voluntary work in website design for children's charity

Agency work (3 years) in London in database management and data inputting, especially six months with Winchester Wines setting up and running customer database

Work experience with UVP Electronics, Battersea

Education

A levels Information Technology

Craft Design and Technology

GCSEs 5 at level C or above: English, Maths, IT,

Art, Religious Education

Activities

Leader of church youth group Member of brass band