Part VIII Job Hunting

1. Remember the following words:

• job search

• application form

• job applicant

• job opening

• promising

• responsibility

• senior

• junior

• officer

• high level job

• experience

• labour contract

• raise

• cash award

2. Read and translate the text:

In different countries, different conventions apply to the process of job application and interviews. In most parts of the world, it’s common to submit a typed or printed CV (curriculum vitae – British English) or resume (American English). It contains all the unchanging information about you: your education, background (кваліфікація) and work experience. It usually accompanies a letter of application, which in some countries is expected to be handwritten, not word-processed.

Many companies expect all your personal information to be entered on a standard application form.

There are different kinds of interviews: traditional one-to-one interviews, panel interviews where one or two candidates are interviewed by a panel of interviewers and even “deep-end” interviews where applicants have to demonstrate how they can cope in actual business situations. The atmosphere of interview may vary from the informal to formal and interviewers can take a friendly, neutral or even hostile approach. Different interviewers use different techniques and the only rules that applicants should be aware of may be “Expect the unexpected” and “Be yourself”!

Progress interviews are interviews where employees have a chance to review the work they are doing and to set objectives for the future. Such interviews usually take place after a new employee has been working with a company for several months, and after that they may take place once or twice a year.

3. Write down your answers and go over them just before you go into the interview:

• What do I do well?

• What are my good points?

• Why would I like this job?

• Hobbies? Interests?

• What do I like doing and why?

• What do I not like doing and why?

• School activities? School subjects?

• Previous job?

• Part-time job?

You will want to ask your questions too:

• The job itself?

• Training?

• Prospects for advancement?

• Educational opportunities?

• Can I see where I would be working?

• Hours? Money? Conditions?

4. Read and dramatize the following dialogues:

Interviewer

Mr.Guzman

I: Are you working?

Mr.G. : Yes, I am.

I: What do you do exactly?

Mr.G. : I’m a mechanic. I work in a small auto shop with three

mechanics and supervise all auto repairs. I diagnose

problems, make repairs and also check all the repairs in

the shop. I have experience with both American and

foreign cars.

I: How long have you been working here?

Mr.G. : For three years.

I: What other jobs have you had? And what did you do?

Mr.G.: I was a maintenance mechanic in plastics factory. I

repaired the production machinery. I also did all the

general maintenance work and made all electrical repairs.

I: How long were you there?

Mr.G.: For about three years.

I: Tell me about your education and any special training

you’ve had.

Mr.G.: I graduated from high school in Colombia in 1980. After

high school I went to a university for one year and

studied engineering. Now I’m studying English at

Alemany Community College.

I: What other skills do you have?

Mr.G.: I can do general book-keeping and billing.

I: Why do you want to change your job?

Mr.G: The auto shop I work in is very small. There is little room

for advancement.

I: What hours can you work?

Mr.G.: I prefer to work days, but I could work any hours.

Art Miranda

Paula Chandler

Art: How do you do? It’s Paula Chandler, isn’t it?

Paula: Yes. How do you do?

Art: Have a seat. I’m Art Miranda, and I have your application

form here. I just want to check the information.

Paula: Fine, sure.

Art: You’re applying for the position of export sales

representative, aren’t you?

Paula: Yes, I am.

Art: You aren’t from Connecticut, are you?

Paula: No, I’m from Massachusetts.

Art: You got a bachelor’s degree in business administration at

college, didn’t you?

Paula: Yes, that’s right.

Art: But you didn’t get a master’s degree, did you?

Paula: No, I didn’t. I started working when I was 22.

Art: I see. You have worked in international sales, haven’t

you?

Paula: Yes, I’ve been a sales representative in Latin America for

two companies.

Art: But you haven’t worked in the Middle East, haven’t you?

Paula: No, I haven’t, but I’d like to.

Art: You can’t speak Arabic or French, can you?

Paula: No, but I can read and speak Spanish very well.

Art: I’m sure you can learn another language quickly, can’t

you?

Paula: Sure! I’d like to learn Arabic or French.