UNIT 1
Career in Engineering
The highest reward for a person’s toil
is not what they get for it, but what they
become by it.
Starter
Why did you choose the specialization you are being trained for? Which of these points are the most important?
► you can put your creativity to the test every day
► you can help people by improving the quality of everyday life
► it offers a lot of careers
► there is an opportunity to work together with many other professionals, like lawyers, accountants,
geologists, scientists, meteorologists
► the possibility of team-work
► self-improvement
►good money
►something else.
Vocabulary&Reading
A Job or a Career?
1 a Look at the text. What is it about?
b Check the words and phrases in the dictionary.
a job
inspiration
to have a career
to shape one’s future
to make money
financial security
to integrate
commitment
development
professional skills
promotion
3 Read the text and answer the questions after.
• What’s the difference between having a job and having a career?
• Have you chosen between a job and a career yet?
• What do you have to remember planning a career?
Having a job and having a career are two different things. A job is something you do to make money. You may enjoy the job, work hard at it and do well, but you are primarily doing it for money to satisfy your other interests outside of the work environment. A career is something that integrates your desirers and interests so that it gives you satisfaction above the money you make. To have a career means commitment and development, but first of all planning.
This process can begin at any age. For some people it starts when they are a small child and visit mom or dad at their place of work. For others it can come later through the inspiration of a teacher.
It is up to each individual to decide whether a job or career is best for them. People may share the same talent and interest but other aspects of their personality will dictate which direction to go. For example, one guitar player may decide to plan a career as a professional musician. Another may decide that the financial insecurity is too much for him, get a regular job and satisfy his musical interests in his free time.
Remember, if you have decided to follow a career, you must start early in your academic life to plan and take steps for developing your professional skills. Second, in addition to a suitable background for a desired career, creativity, self-promotion and preparation are absolutely vital for any sort of success in the job search. Last, students must develop confidence in themselves and recognize the power that each of them has to take control of their future and shape it in a way that is best for them.
2 Complete the table with word-forms. Look at the text if necessary.
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Verb |
Noun |
Adjective |
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to develop |
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to promote |
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to prepare |
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to create |
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to decide |
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to inspire |
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Listening&Speaking
Priorities
1 Is it easy to study at university? Do all graduates get a job easily? What else can you do after graduation?
2 a A radio programme is interviewing students who are going to become engineers in order to find out, what they think of their future profession. Look up these words and phrases, mark the stressed syllables.
career path
jobs of low responsibility
thorough training
prove one’s competence
analytical skills
required
inventiveness
to break the accepted rules
to be employed as
to apply
at a high demand
challenging
improved quality of li
b Listen to 6 students and make a note of what they think of their future career.
3 a Listen again and complete these sentences.
Nora
1 There is no one typical … for civil engineers.
2 Most engineering graduates start with jobs …, and as they prove their competence, they are given more and more responsible tasks.
3 Engineers are at a high demand at banks, … and management consultancies because of their ….
Oliver
4 Being employed as an engineer, you are … the creative application of scientific principles to ……… structures, machines, apparatus, manufacturing processes, or works using them singly or in combination.
Dino
5 Having learnt how to apply theories and principals of science and mathematics I will be able to ....
Caroline
6 Having been educated in this sphere, you may be employed in….
7 I like to work as part of a … and think that I’m ….
Tom
8 I actively take part in students’ conferences and carry out ….
9 Knowing extra information in the field of engineering I can … to everyday life.
Alice
10 … requires of engineers that they dare to …and conventions, and critically examine the actual state of things.
4 State whether it is True or False.
1 Most engineering graduates make a career in no time.
2 Narrow specialization in engineering is rather challenging but very important.
3 Engineers can hardly find a job in business sector.
4 Inventiveness requires of engineers that they dare to break the accepted conventions.
5 Due to their analytical skills engineers are at demand in educational sphere.
6 Knowledge in the field of engineering is very useful in daily life.
5 Answer the questions.
1 How can an engineer make a career in business?
2 Where is your specialization at high demand?
3 What are the main responsibilities of people in your profession?
4 Can you apply the information you learn about your future profession to everyday life? How?
5 Are you ready to do anything to get promoted and to make a career?
6 What was your main focus when you were thinking of your future profession?
Reading
Structure of Engineering Studies
1 Check the following words and phrases in the dictionary, mark the stressed syllables.
to develop engines
chemical plants application
facilities
responsibility
pharmaceutical industries to be involved in
large-scale projects construction
skyscrapers
application power production
performance analysis
2 Read about the Structure of Engineering Studies and answer the following questions.
• What are the main careers for an engineer?
• Which of the specializations do you like most?
The aim of Engineering Studies is to develop students' understanding of the nature and importance of engineering for the modern society. Students develop understanding of the role of the engineer, responsibilities of engineers, communication skills appropriate to engineering practices, management and problem-solving skills. Engineering is a science, work, or profession of planning, building, or managing engines, machines, roads, electrical systems, chemical plants, etc; application of scientific knowledge to practical purposes.
This is a short list introducing you to a variety of different types of engineers. These are by no means all of the engineering fields available to students today, just a start.
Aeronautical engineers study jet engines and aircraft design. They may also work on applications for space missions. Agricultural engineers design farm equipment, animal shelters, crop systems, and product processing systems. Chemical engineers develop processes and products made with chemicals, perhaps in the food, petroleum, or pharmaceutical industries. Civil engineers design roads, buildings, transportation systems, and other large-scale construction projects. Categories within this area may include structural, environmental, geological, hydraulic, transportation and construction engineering. Electrical and computer engineers design, construct, and maintain electronic systems that may include working with computer chips and electronic communications. Geological engineers solve earth related technical problems. Industrial engineers plan and design industrial and business facilities. Materials engineers study metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites to design materials for applications that may involve transportation, communication or power production. Mechanical engineers create machines and may work on transportation systems, power production or performance analysis. Nuclear engineers work with nuclear reactors and radiation applications.
Thus, engineers are involved in everything from medicine to space, from skyscrapers to roadways, from aircraft to robotics. You need to be an up-to-date engineer, to use creativity and apply concepts to solve design problems.
3 Fill the table.
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Types of engineers |
Specialization |
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Aeronautical engineer |
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farm equipment, animal shelters, |
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Chemical engineers |
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roads, buildings, … |
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Electrical and computer |
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solve earth related technical problems |
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Industrial engineers |
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metals, ceramics, plastics, … |
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Mechanical engineers |
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nuclear reactors and … |
Reading&Speaking
Where have all engineers gone?
1 Answer the questions.
1 What are the most popular subjects to study at universities? Why?
2 If you wanted to find out about job opportunities and vacancies at a large company or an international organization, what you would do?
2 Replace the underlined words with their synonyms from the box.
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global union competitors choosing supporters fall employment |
1 The group DaimlerChrysler was formed in 1998 through the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler of the US.
2 DaimlerChrysler is one of the mainstays of Baden-Wurttemberg economy.
3 In 1999 however its recruitment campaign went global.
4 Using the Internet, DaimlerChrysler issued a blanket invitation to college graduates all around the world.
5 Rivals such as BMW, have similar needs.
6 The recruitment problem has been worsened by a steady decline in the number of students electing to study engineering.
3 Scan the text and find out which of these statements gives the best summary of the text below.
a A global company needs to recruit globally.
b The Internet will revolutionize the way new employees are recruited.
c Engineering is the discipline of the future.
1 The group DaimlerChrysler was formed in 1998 through the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler of the US. DaimlerChrysler is one of the mainstays of Baden-Wurttemberg economy, sustaining 242, 000 people in employment across Germany – the bulk of them in the state.
2 Traditionally, Daimler-Benz always recruited engineers within Germany. In 1999 however its recruitment campaign went global. Using the Internet, DaimlerChrysler issued a blanket invitation to college graduates all around the world – with emphasis on mechanical engineering, process technology and aerospace engineering – to attend an open day at 11 DaimlerChrysler locations around the world.
3 Competition for talent from other large industrial groups is bound to increase. Rivals such as BMW, have similar needs. But Mr. Binder says: “We try to convince would-be recruits that we are the most global company and it’s more interesting to work at DaimlerChrysler in this exciting period after the merger”. Recruits are also offered opportunities to work within different units of the group.
4 The recruitment problem has been worsened by a steady decline in the number of students electing to study engineering since the early 1990s – when there were too many newly-qualified engineers entering the market. Large numbers of students choose to study other subjects, leading to today’s shortage.
5 DaimlerChrysler is supporting the initiatives trying to ensure a steady flow of engineers and graduates from other technical disciplines. Over the course of the next few years, the group will be supporting the establishment of two private universities in Baden-Baden.
4 Complete the word-building table.
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Noun |
Verb |
Adjective |
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recruited |
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establishment |
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increase |
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electing |
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different |
5 The following phrases summarize problems of each paragraph. Match each phrase with the correct paragraph.
1 DaimlerChrysler needs to recruit engineers globally to meet the business targets.
2 The lack of engineering graduates.
3 Use of the Internet for recruitment.
4 Another recruitment approach.
5 DaimlerChrysler plans to support private universities.
6 DaimlerChrysler needs to compete with other companies to attract new recruits.
7 DaimlerChrysler’s business targets.
8 DaimlerChrysler’s position in Baden-Wurttemberg’s economy.
6 Look through the following examples to catch the idea of making sentences as short as possible. Are all ideas conveyed accurately?
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1 The group DaimlerChrysler was formed in 1998 through the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler of the US. DaimlerChrysler is one of the mainstays of Baden-Wurttemberg economy, sustaining 242, 000 people in employment across Germany – the bulk of them in the state. |
The group DaimlerChrysler, formed in 1998 by Daimler-Benz and Chrysler, is one of the main employers in Germany.
|
|
2 Traditionally, Daimler-Benz always recruited engineers within Germany. In 1999 however its recruitment campaign went global. Using the Internet, DaimlerChrysler issued a blanket invitation to college graduates all around the world – with emphasis on mechanical engineering, process technology and aerospace engineering – to attend an open day at 11 DaimlerChrysler locations around the world.
|
Traditionally, Daimler-Benz recruited engineers within Germany, but in 1999 using the Internet, DaimlerChrysler invited prospective employees to attend an open day at its locations around the world.
|
|
3 The recruitment problem has been worsened by a steady decline in the number of students electing to study engineering since the early 1990s – when there were too many newly-qualified engineers entering the market. Large numbers of students choose to study other subjects, leading to today’s shortage. |
The recruitment problem has been worsened for students haven’t chosen engineering to study since the 1990s – when too many engineers entered the market.
|
7 Make up a summary of the article using the following questions as prompts.
What’s the title of the article?
What is the main theme of the article?
Main idea?
What is its structure?
List the main points discussed in the text.
What conclusions could be made?
Check yourself
Guess the words. Look back at the previous texts if you need.
1 It is something you do to make money.
2 It is something that integrates your interests and the money you make.
3 It also means to employ or to hire new staff members.
4 It is a science, or profession of planning, building, or managing various systems.
5 It is a particular ability, something that requires special training.
6 It is a person or organization that hires someone.
7 To do something in a brand-new way, leaving the traditional methods.
8 The whole of the steps you make in your working life.
9 It is a special quality, something that demands imagination and originality.
10 It means personal development, rise to a higher position.
UNIT 2
Effective Job Search
Everything what is done
in the world is done by hope.
Starter
What should you do to find a job? Find the logical sequence of steps you should take.
► get an invitation for an interview
► read the classified ads
► think what kind of job you want
► analyze your skills, personality traits and accomplishments
► get ready for the interview
► find out as much as you can about the company
► prepare the necessary docs.
Reading &Speaking
1 Make sure you know the following words.
employment agencies benefits
ads P.O. box
job opportunities demand
2 Read the text.
So, You Are Looking for a Job. What must you begin with? There are several traditional ways of looking for a job.
The best way of doing it is to address employment agencies or to study the ads of job opportunities being published.
Advertisements of job opportunities can be read in different printed publications. But which of them is worth reacting to? Don't put much trust in the yellow press ads. Solid companies place ads in prestigious publications with a firm reputation.
The structure of job opportunities ads is usually the same: the name of the vacant position, the list of the candidate's professional duties, the demands made of the candidate, and the system of compensations and benefits. The e-mail address of the office is usually given at the end. Carefully read the demands made of the given position. Often, the demand to know a foreign language is very important.
3 Study the advertisement for Horizons Unlimited. What kind of job do they recruit for? What are the main responsibilities and requirements for the job? Find similar ads in Belarusian newspapers/magazines. Is the layout the same in your language? Underline the qualities and skills that you’ve got.
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CHIEF ENGINEER City: London HORISONS UNLIMITED Is the largest construction company in The UK Main Responsibilities: - managing in day to day engineering operations, - planning the works, leading the team & resolving the problems. Specific Requirements: - experience not less than 4 years in building management & maintenance - good knowledge of English - experience with PC - excellent organizational, management and leadership skills - driving license is be useful
Please e-mail your CV to cv.flpersonnel@gmail.com |
Reading and writing
CVs and Covering Letters in English
You never get a second chance
to make the first impression.
1 Check the words and phrases.
covering letter CV ( resume)
interview persuasive
relevant confusion
2 Read the information that will help you to write a covering letter.
When you apply for a job, most employers want to have 2 important documents from you: a CV (or resume) and a covering letter.
Your CV and covering letter are usually the first impression that an employer has of you. Your CV or resume is your visiting card, your ambassador, your shop window. It represents you and it has a specific purpose: to get you an interview! Before even looking at your CV, an employer usually reads your covering letter. If it is well-written, attractive, easy to read and persuasive, the employer will turn to your CV. It's that simple!
A covering letter is the letter that accompanies your resume when you send it to a company. The reader of your letter may be busy and unwilling to waste time on unnecessary details. You should therefore design your letter to be easy to read. It should be short and relevant. It should not be too formal or complicated.
Your letter should:
• confirm that you are applying for the position
• say where you learned about the position
• say why you want the position
• say why you would be a benefit to the company
• request an interview.
The layout of a modern business letter in English is very simple. Your address is at the top, on the right or in the middle. The rest of the letter can be in 'block' format, with each line starting on the left. Try to keep the whole letter on one single page, with plenty of white space.
Remember:
1 Do not write the date as numbers only, for two reasons: It can be considered too official and therefore impolite. All-number dates are written differently in British English (31/12/09) and American English (12/31/09). This can lead to confusion.
2 A letter in English always begins with 'Dear...', even if you do not know the person. There are several possibilities: Dear Sir/ Dear Madam /Dear Mr. Smith /Dear Mrs. Smith, Dear Sir/Madame, Dear Sir or Madame, etc.
4 End your letter by Yours sincerely /Yours faithfully /Yours truly
5 Sign in black or blue ink with a fountain pen.
3 Study the example of covering letter. What can you learn about Rachel King’s:
a) working experience
b) recent job
c) why could she be a benefit to the company?
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26 rue Josef 75008 PARIS France tel: +33 1 77 77 77 77 email: rachelking@eflnet.fr
17 April, 2006 Horizons Unlimited PO Box 444 Richmond Surrey SJ5 4TS
Dear Sir or Madam,
In reply to your advertisement in “Work and Education” I would like to apply for the position of civil engineer. I am a certificated civil engineer with nearly 10 years' experience to offer you.
I enclose my resume as a first step in exploring the possibilities of employment with Horizons Unlimited.
My most recent experience was participation in a large-scale construction project for Landscape Laborers. I was responsible for the project supervision and had to deal with the customers’ complaints.
As Civil Engineer with your organization, I would bring a focus on quality and effectiveness to team-work and I am experienced in responsibilities planning.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours
faithfully,
Rachel King |
4 Louisa Barry wants to apply for a job. Match the addresses and dates below with the correct position on the letter. Put Louisa’s letter in the correct order.
30th April 2009 Horizons Unlimited 15 Thayers Farm Road
PO Box 444 Abington
Richmond Northampton
Surrey NT12 4PF
|
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
_________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
|
a I am interested in the secretarial position you have.
b I will be able to start work in the middle of June.
c I look forward to hearing from you soon.
d Yours faithfully,
e I enclose my CV as requested
f I am a qualified and experienced PA, and I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I also speak French fluently
g I am writing in reply to your advertisement for temporary summer positions, which appeared in the Western Mail on 27th April
h Dear Sir of Madam,
i Louisa Barry
5 Write a similar letter to Horizons Unlimited. Mention where you would like to work and what kind of work you would be interested in. You can invent qualifications and experience!
Reading and writing
Your CV/Resume
1 Check the words and phrases.
objective
experience
skills
statement of intent
extracurricular
reference reverse
fluent
request intermediate
2 Read the text and learn how to write resumes in English.
CV stands for the Latin words Curriculum Vitae, which mean: the course of one's life. A CV is also called a resume (especially in American English). Your CV is a summary of your professional/academic life until now, and it usually concentrates on your personal details, education and work experience.
An excellent resume may help you get the job of your dreams. Ideally, resume should not be longer than one page.
The contents of a resume can be roughly categorized as: PERSONAL INFORMATION, JOB OBJECTIVE, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, REFERENCES.
The resume begins with PERSONAL INFORMATION, name, address, telephone number and e-mail centered at the top of the page.
After your address, JOB OBJECTIVE should be written. Think about your job search and career goals carefully. For example: "Objective: To obtain a position in telecommunication that will allow me to use my knowledge of engineering and take advantage of my desire to work in sales."
After the statement of intent, describe your EDUCATION. List the universities, institutes and colleges you have attended in reverse chronological order. Any studying you have done abroad should be included and courses you have taken and that are relevant if you graduated with honors, you should definitely include this. A "red diploma" can be called "graduated with high honors" in English. Do not include your school.
In the EXPERIENCE section list your experience starting with your most recent place of employment and work backwards. List your responsibilities in short statements that don’t include the words "my" or "I".
Following experience, you should list your special SKILLS. These include your language skills, computer abilities, and any other talents that relate to your statement of intent. When describing your language abilities, it is better to be honest about your level, "Fluent English," "native Russian," "intermediate German", and "beginning French" are all ways to describe your language abilities.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES should be included in the next section. Organizations you belong to, sports and hobbies should be listed here. Do not list "reading" or "writing" as an activity. It is assumed most people with a higher education do these things regularly.
The last section of your resume is the REFERENCE section. List at least two people, not related to you, who can describe your qualification for the job. Their names, titles, places of work, and telephone numbers should be included. If you do not have space on your resume for this, write "Available upon request." You will then be expected to give this information to a prospective employer if it is requested.
A neat and well-written resume with no spelling mistakes will give an employer the impression that you are accurate and take care of details.
3 Read Louisa’s CV and tick the topics in the text which are included.
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Louisa Barry Flat 7, 32 Sycamore Avenue Marston MN42 7HD Tel: (home) 0278 657 9876 (mob) 09876 334455 E-mail: LouisaBarry@eserve.co.uk
Education High school graduate, Fredericksburg Gymnasium, Denmark. Degree Transportation Management, University of Marston (to be completed June 2009). Knowledge of all aspects of transportation processes (design, logistics, transport rounds).
Skills Proven ability to work under pressure as a member of a team, excellent personal skills.
Experience Six-month work placement with independent transportation company (Brown’s Roads Inc, Marston) working on delivery processes. Gained valuable experience during university vacations working in private transportation companies in France.
Languages Danish (mother tongue), French (fluent in speech and writing), English (intermediate).
Personal details Danish nationality (EU citizen – work permit not required). Age 22. Single. Non-smoker. Full clean driving license. |
4 a Find words or phrases in Louisa’s CV that mean the following.
1 she has shown that she can do something
2 the ability to get on well with people
3 time spent getting work experience while you are a student
4 someone who has completed their course at school or university
5 it will be finished
6 first language
7 quite good
8 someone who doesn’t smoke
b Notice how in a CV we miss out words which are unnecessary or obvious.
Examples:
(I am) final year student in Transportation Management at (The) University of Marston.
(I have) knowledge of all aspects of transportation processes.
4 Work in pairs. Imagine that your firm received a lot of applications for a job. Discuss them. Sort them into three groups:
a these look promising,
b these are possibles,
c no, thanks.
1 As you will see from my enclosed CV, I have been working for my present company for three years. I joined them as assistant works manager and was promoted to production manager last year. Before that I had spent two years taking full time diploma course.
2 My name’s Jim Brown and I can do great things for your company!
3 I’m 29, unmarried, fit and healthy and I’ve got all the qualifications and experience to make me the ideal.
4 I am sure I would be able to manage the department successfully as I am good at supervising people and at giving clear instructions. I feel that I would be perfect.
5 I wish to apply for the job you have advertised. Please send me further details.
6 I noted with interest your advertisement for a marketing assistant.
7 I am writing about the job in your advertisement in today’s newspaper. I have 5 years’ experience in export and import trade as well as the qualifications you listed.
8 I am ambitious and my present job doesn’t offer me the chance to develop.
9 If you consider that my experience and qualifications are suitable, I would be available for interview at any time
10 I enclose a CV, which gives full details of my qualifications and work experience. In support of my application, I should like to mention that, though my present employers are first – rate and our relationship is excellent, I am keen to extend my range and I am looking for a more rewarding and challenging job.
11 I would be grateful if I could discuss the post available in person and perhaps go into my background and my suitability for the post in more detail.
5 Write a CV for yourself using the headings in the text and Brigitte’s CV to help you. You can invent experience and qualifications if you prefer.
Reading and speaking
The job interview
Luck never gives; it only lends.
1 Check the words and phrases.
to relax the dress code well-groomed
trimmed
application form
stranger
effort
shrug weaknesses
to get rid of smth.
2 Read the text and be ready to answer the following questions:
• Imagine you are having and interview. What will you put on?
• What will you do to get ready for the interview?
• What will you say to impress the interviewer?
You finally have an interview! Here are several useful pieces of advice that are designed to help you in getting the job of your life.
First of all, the interview is not the place to exhibit your flair for the latest fashion style. Even though many companies have relaxed the company’s dress code, interviews still follow the conservative standard. Remember that stylish is not conservative. How to dress for an interview?
Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue or grey is best).Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best). Clean, polished conservative shoes. Well-groomed hairstyle. Clean, trimmed fingernails. Minimal cologne or perfume. Empty pockets—no keys or tinkling coins. No gum, candy or cigarettes. Light briefcase or portfolio case. No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.) No beards. Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed. No dresses. carry a briefcase instead. Minimal use of makeup.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW.
1 Find as much as you can about the job beforehand.
2 Think about how your qualifications and experience relate to the job. Why should the employer employ you and not somebody else?
3. Make sure you know where the interview office and how to get there. Be on time, or better, a few minutes earlier.
4 Bring a pen; you will probably be asked to fill an application form. Answer all the questions the best you can.
5 Bring with you samples of your work or letter of recommendation from your teachers or any one else you might have worked part time for.
AT THE INTERVIEW. The interview is designed to find out more about you and to see if you are suitable for the job. And now consider the interview for a moment. You will be spending twenty to thirty minutes in a tiny cubicle with a total stranger. This person will then decide whether you will ever have a chance of working for their company. The best you can hope for is to avoid being disqualified, which only takes you one step further into the interviewing labyrinth. One little mistake, one little error, and you could be history. So to survive there you should:
1 Be prepared.
2 Strike fast. Try to establish your candidacy in the first 5 minutes of the interview. Look people in the eye.
3 Make a real effort to answer every question the interviewer asks. Be clear and concise. Never answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or shrug.
4 Admit it if you don’t know anything about the more technical aspects of the job. Stress that you are willing to learn.
5 Show some enthusiasm when job is explained to you.
6 Ask questions at the close of the interview. For instance, about the working hours, holidays, or if there is a training programme.
7 Be ready to fill out applications, give references, take some examinations or tests on request.
As you prepare for the interview process, remember that any interview is a useful experience that helps you to find out your weaknesses and get rid of them.
3 Get ready for the group simulation. Read all the information. Analyse all questions, be ready to answer them.
QUESTIONS INTERVIEWERS ASK
Personal:
Tell me about yourself. (Expand on your resume in two minutes).
What are your hobbies?
What do you know about our organization?
Describe your ideal job.
What do you consider to be your strengths/ weaknesses?
Who are your role models? Why?
What motivates you most in a job?
Have you ever had difficulty in getting along with a former supervisor / co-worker? How did you handle it?
Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
Education:
Why did you choose your university?
In which campus activities did you participate?
Which classes did you like best/least? Why?
If you were to start your college career over again, what you would do in a different way, and why?
What is your grade point average? Does this accurately reflect your ability? Why/why not?
Have you held any leadership roles? What is your leadership style?
Experience:
What job related skills have you developed?
Describe your previous work experience. What were your responsibilities? What did you learn?
How does your college education or work experience relate to this job?
How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work?
In what ways do you think you could make a contribution to this company?
Career goals / other:
What are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own?
What qualities do you look for in a supervisor?
Describe your ideal working environment.
Why do you think you would be successful in this career?
What are your plans for continued education?
Why should we hire you?
YOU are expected to ask questions about the position or the company during an interview. Do not ask questions regarding information that was available on the company’s website or literature! This will show you haven’t done your research!
About the job:
1. What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in the job?
2. What are the traits and skills of people who are the most successful within this organization?
3. What do you consider to be the most challenging aspects of this job?
4. How is performance measured and reviewed?
5. Is this a new position or a replacement?
6. Why did this person leave this job?
7. What kind of work might I be doing in the first six months of the job?
8. What is your method of training and orienting new employees?
9. Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?
10. When do you expect to make a decision on this position?
About the department
How many employees are in this department?
Who are the other people with whom I would work in this position?
With what other key individuals/groups does this person interface?
About the company
What are the company’s values?
Could you explain your organizational structure to me?
Where does this position fit in the organization?
Can you describe the company’s management style?
What are the company’s policy regarding ongoing training and education so that employees can keep up with their skills or acquire new ones?
4 Make up a list of possible don’ts for an interview.
Real Life
A formal telephone call
1 Louisa Barry is phoning to Horizons Unlimited. Listen to the conversation. Why is she phoning? What is the secretary going to do?
2 Complete the missing phrases in the conversation. Then listen again and check.
Telephonist Good morning, Horizons Unlimited.
Louise Hello, _____________________ to Marion O’Neill, please.
Telephonist Marion O’Neill… just a moment, I’ll ________________.
Secretary Hello, how can I help?
Louise Err… ____________________ to Marion O’Neill, please?
Secretary I’ll just see if she’s available, can I ask __________?
Louise Louisa Barry.
Secretary One moment, please. (pause) Hello?
Louise Yes, hello?
Secretary Yes, I’m afraid Marion’s in a meeting at the moment…
can I take __________________ or shall I ask _______ back?
Louise Well, I’m _________________ she interviewed me for a
job about two weeks ago and I haven’t heard anything yet.
Secretary Okay, well, __________________ the message and ask her
to call you back. Have you got a number______________?
Louise Well, I’ll be here till about 4 o’clock… the number’s
01604472472.
Secretary Right, and __________________?
Louise No, but she can _______________ on the answering machine.
Secretary Okay, then, thanks ____________.
Louise Thank you, bye.
Secretary Bye.
3 Work in pairs. Act out a conversation below. Student A: You are phoning Travel Direct to find out about some airline tickets you ordered. You want to speak to Sandi Elliott. Student B: You work at Travel Direct. Sandi Elliott is on the other line at the moment.
Student A Student B
← Answer the phone
Ask to speak to Sandi Elliott ---------------→
← Explain that Sandi is on the other
line; ask the caller to hold or if
he/she wants Sandi to call back
Ask if she can call back ---------------------→
← Ask what the call is about
Explain what the call is about---------------→
←Ask for the caller’s number
Give your number(s) -------------------------→
and say when you
can be contacted
← Say thank you and end
the conversation
Say goodbye------------------------------------→