Job Hunting

Exercise 2 a) Time flies, and one day you will have to look for a job. In pairs, discuss the following suggestions for finding a job.

• Contact your friends and see how they can help.

• Visit an employment agency and ask about available jobs.

• Look for the job that gives the best salary.

• Read the advertisements in the Business Section of our local newspaper and try to find a job that matches your skills, qualifications, and interests.

• Ask your parents or their colleagues to get you a job in the companies where they work.

• Identify strengths and weaknesses for specific areas of business.

b) Role play the dialogue about job hunting. Which of the above mentioned points are mentioned in the conversation?

Martha: I think it’s time we started thinking about our future and making decisions about what we want to do when we finish this course.

John: Oh, Martha, you’re always so serious. We still have two months before we take our final exams.

M.: I know, but you can’t just suddenly wake up the day you finish college and find a job. You need to plan.

J.: You’re right, of course. But where do we start? The course we’re taking is General Business and there are so many choices like Human Resources, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and so on. And I’m not even sure what I’m interested in.

M.: Yes, I know. There’s a lot to think about, but maybe we can start by thinking about our specific interests in Business. For example, I think that you should go into Marketing.

J.: I’ve thought about that too, but I’m not sure. I suppose we should think about our different strengths and weaknesses in each area. A job in Human Resources or Management would probably suit you. You are bossy – you just love telling people what to do.

M.: Hey, that’s not true. It’s just that I like organizing people and I think I’m pretty good at it.

J.: Well, I think we should also have a look at some ads and find out what kinds of jobs are out there in the real world.

M.: Okay. Let’s buy a newspaper every day this week and look at job ads in Business. We could also go to some companies and find out what skills and qualifications are needed for each department.

J.: Good plan. I think maybe we should go and see our college counselor, too. She may have some useful advice for us.

M.: Let’s do that. I’ll call her office tomorrow and see when we can get an appointment. I’ll arrange for both of us to see her.

J.: Great. I’ve got to hurry. I have a class in ten minutes. Bye.

M.: Okay. See you later.

c) In pairs, practise making suggestions about how to start job hunting. Use the phrases in the box to help you.

I think it’s time to start… We need to think about where… Maybe we should begin by… I suppose we should think about… Let’s go see… We could find out about available jobs Why don’t we read… I suggest we start by….

Exercise 3 Insert the following words in the gaps in the text below.

applicant ▪ application form ▪ candidate ▪ references ▪ CV or resume short-listed ▪ job description ▪ interview ▪ employment agencies job vacancies ▪ apply

Many people looking for work read the … advertised by companies and …. in newspapers or on the Internet. To reply to an advertisement is to …. for a job. (You become a …. or an …. .) You fill in the company’s …, and send it, along with your …. and a covering letter. You often have to give the names of two people who are prepared to write …. for you. If your qualifications and abilities match the …, you might be …, i.e. selected to attend an … .