5. Select the correct words in the following sentences.

1. Of all the ideas that the designers presented, Harry’s was certainly (unique, the most unique).

2. Ellis and Gomer are both successful agents, but Allison is the (successfullest, more nearly successful, most successful) of the three.

3. Bertha is one of the (most tactful, tactfulest) people in the credit office.

4. Whenever Maria’s workload is (heavier, more heavy) than mine, I volunteer to help her.

5. Paul is considered a very (good, better, best) programmer, but Winnie is certainly (good, better, best); however, everyone agrees, that Danielle is the (good, better, best) programmer on our staff.

6. Mr. Rusnak gave the (logicalest, most logical) reasons to explain why our electronic equipment will not work properly.

7. We selected the (whitest, most white, most whitest) paper available to print our sales brochures.

6. Complete the dialogue with the following words and phrases:

We could why I think we should I’m not sure a good idea how about

1. So how should we entertain our visitors?

2. ______ taking them to a restaurant?

A. That’s ______! I’m sure they’d like to try some local dishes.

C. And maybe they like music. Perhaps _____ take them to a concert.

B. ____ about that. We don’t know what kind of music they like.

A. Well, ______ not show them around the city? There are a lot of attractions.

C. I like that! _____ show them round the city and then go for dinner.

Unit 14 Résumés and Job Applications

When you have completed your formal education, you will look for a job suited to your training, interests, and ambitions. In most cases, you will visit a prospective employer’s office and complete an application form for the position in which you are interested. The employer may then make a decision regarding your employability on the basis of the application form and a personal interview. This employment process is the simplest one and probably the one most commonly used for obtaining a first job.

Throughout your lifetime, however, you may find yourself in other job-seeking situations in an attempt to improve your position. As you gain experience, you are likely to become ambitious for better and better jobs. These better jobs very often call for written letters of application and summaries of your background and experience. Your writing skills may very well play an important part in obtaining the job you desire.

In any job-seeking situation, there are a number of ways you may use your writing skills: to complete an application blank, prepare a resume (a summary of your qualifications), write an application letter, or write employment follow-up letters. To obtain your first job, you may need to complete only an employment application form. However, you may also need to prepare a letter of application and a resume. As an ambitious job-seeker, therefore, you should be able to prepare all the written material that will help you obtain the job you want.

What Abilities Do You Have to Offer an Employer?

You will be hired because you have a skill that an employer needs. Before you start your campaign for a job, you must decide for which specific jobs you are qualified and in which jobs you are interested. On the basis of your personal and educational background, you begin by listing specific skills and knowledge that would benefit an employer. Then you decide which specific job titles need the skills and knowledge you possess.

Which of the positions you have listed interest you most? Which ones interest you least? Direct your job-seeking efforts to the most interesting positions for which you are qualified.

For example, suppose your high school major is a general clerical program. Courses in the program may include typewriting, accounting, general business, business English and communication, filing, business mathematics, and office practice. At the end of your high school training, you will probably be able to type at least 50 words a minute, perform basic recordkeeping functions, operate various calculating and duplicating machines, and compose business letters. Some of the job classifications for which you will have received preparation include clerk-typist, payroll clerk, teller, file clerk, general office clerk, correspondence clerk, or credit clerk.

Once you have assessed your skills and knowledge and determined the various jobs for which you are qualified, your most important decision involves selecting the job that interests you most. How can you locate such a position?

What Are Good Job Sources?

How do you find the job in which you are interested? Where do you look for the job for which you are qualified? Several employment sources may be investigated to find a job suitable for you.

School Placement Offices

Your school placement office may be a good place to begin looking for your first job. To employers, graduating seniors are a good source of personnel. If your school has established a reputation for providing training in occupational areas, then you may be able to obtain a job through your school placement office. In addition, your teachers may be able to supply specific names of employers who are looking for graduates in your particular field of interest.

Newspaper Advertisements

Newspaper advertisements placed by local businesses are a good source of employment opportunities. These advertisements may request you to apply in person for the positions listed, or they may request that you submit an application letter accompanied by a resume.

Sometimes local professional journals or newspapers contain job listings. For example, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, a publication for the legal profession, is a good source of legal secretarial positions in the Los Angeles area.

Employment Agencies

Both state employment agencies and private employment agencies list job openings. Your local state agency places applicants in positions that have been referred to its office. Of course, this service is performed without cost to either the employee or the employer.

Private employment agencies charge either the employer or the applicant a fee for filling an opening that has been referred to them by the employer. Positions listed as "fee paid" are the ones employers pay for. Some companies prefer to refer all their openings to private employment agencies to save themselves the trouble and expense of screening applicants. In the long run, it may prove less expensive for them to use an employment agency than to maintain their own personnel recruitment facilities.

Federal, State, County, and City Offices

Opportunities in civil service employment should not be overlooked, as salaries and opportunities for advancement are competitive with those in industry. Local federal, state, county, and city employment offices regularly publish announcements of job opportunities in their levels of government. Persons interested in working in civil service should consult local government employment offices to learn about the jobs available and to inquire about taking the civil service examinations for the jobs in which they are interested. Often, too, officials from various government offices will visit high schools to recruit qualified applicants and to administer civil service examinations right on campus.

College and University Offices

All institutions of higher education have business offices that employ many clerks, secretaries, managers, and administrators. Colleges and universities offer their employees some major advantages. Some, for example, permit their employees to take one course during working hours. In addition, of course, employees have the advantage of working in a different environment – the college campus.