5. Speaking

Make notes for each of the questions. Ask and answer the students in class using expressions from 3 and 4:

A. What are your plans for the future?

B. Have you decided on a career yet?

C. How ambitious are you?

D. Do you have either a full-time or a part-time at the moment?

E. What is important in your future job?

Topic 3. Applying for a job

1. Warm-up

Think of the questions which might be asked at a job interview.

2. Listening for gist

1). Listen to four job applicants (SL: U12 A).

Match each person with a statement.

1. The answer is too short.

2. The answer doesn’t answer the questions at all.

3. The answer is illogical.

4. The answer is successful.

2). Listen to four conversations (Bs: 2:14-2:18). For each speaker decide which question applies in each case. More than one answer is possible.

A. Are you ambitious?

B. How do you deal with conflict / difficult situations?

C. Will you make a good leader / manager?

D. Are you self-aware? Can you identify your shortcomings?

E. How do you handle stress? Will you be effective under pressure?

3. Listening for details

1). Listen to four conversations (Bs: 2:14-2:18) once again. Note which speaker:

A. took over the responsibility for the project.

B. copes with being unpopular.

C. is aware of the areas which he / she can improve on.

D. plans to gain experience and learn new skills.

E. knows what eases stress.

F. applies what he / she learned at courses.

G. creates a positive atmosphere.

H. is ready to move up a position with more responsibility.

I. gives feedback.

J. asks for advice.

2). Listen to a radio interview (CAE: T4 P3). Complete the notes.

A. Nowadays, competition for jobs is __________

B. Graduates should not lie on their CV or _________ their experience.

C. Graduates’ CVs often don’t contain enough interesting or ______ information.

D. Because they have no work experience, graduates need to focus on their ____ and skills.

E. This could include being a member of a club or _________

F. CVs should not be too long or written ______

G. Your CV gives a potential employer their _______

H. Graduates with general degrees need to show they are ______ and _______

I. Graduates who took a holiday after university must show this time was _______

4. Lexis

1) Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentences.

1. Someone who applies for a job is called an applier / applicant.

2. A person applying for a job is also called a candidate / manager.

3. When you apply for a job, you are often asked to attend a job interview / test.

4. You get a degree / licence from a university when you complete the course.

5. Degrees, diplomas and certificates show your qualifications / work experience.

6. If you are unemployed / self-employed, you run your own small business.

7. If you have done something for a long time, you have a lot of experiments / experience.

8. Being able to use a computer is an important skill / qualification these days.

9. If you have a job with a company, you work for / as the company.

10. If you are an electrician, you work for / as an electrician.

2) Complete each sentence (a-h) with a suitable ending (1-8). Use each ending once.

a) If you work hard, the company will give you...................

b) In a different job I could get a higher.....................

c) The best way to find new staff is to put a/an.....................

d) Because he had stolen the money, we decided that.....................

e) She has a pleasant personality but hasn't got the right.....................

f) In the meeting we are going to discuss the.....................

g) I think it would be a good idea to send in your.....................

h) We cannot give you the job without.....................

1 qualifications for a job of this kind.

2 advertisement in the local press on Friday.

3 application for the job as soon as possible.

4 promotion to a more responsible position.

5 references from your previous employer.

6 dismissing him was the only possible action we could take.

7 salary and better conditions of employment.

8 appointment of a new sales representative.

3) Take a word from each column to complete the collocations you need for each space in the text.

Column A Column В

working, sick, promotion, description, letter, conditions,

pension, covering, trial, scheme, path, pay, prospects,

career, job, claims, travel expenses, form, period

Dear David,

You'll never guess what's happened - I've only got a job! I saw an advert in the press for an administrative assistant at London Insurance, and sent in my CV and a (1) ................, more out of curiosity than anything else. Well, to my surprise, 1 got an interview, and I managed to convince them that insurance is the (2) ..............................................I intend to pursue. Apparently, they were impressed with my ambition, especially when I said I was looking for a job with good (3).............................................., and a week later I was offered the job. They seem to look after you well - for example, I was told to send in a (4)..............................................so that they could reimburse my (5)..............................................to the interview. It's little things like that which make all the difference. I was also impressed by the (6)..............................................at the office when I went for the interview. So I'm actually starting work on Monday! I've received my (7)..............................................now, and it all seems very favourable. After a (8)..............................................of one month, I'll be on a permanent contract with (9)..............................................and paid holiday. There's even a company (10)..............................................which I can join.

David, why don't you apply? They take on 20 new graduates each year. It would be right up your street.

Best wishes, Dan

5. Speaking

Pair-work: Act a job interview. Then take turns. Use expressions and questions from above.

Topic 4. Working conditions and office culture

1. Warm-up

Look at the people (IO I p.89: 1). What do you think about their working places:

Are the clothes the people are wearing formal or casual?

How do they compare to work places you know?

What sort of companies do you think they are? Why?

2. Listening for gist

Listen to three people from the photos talking about their companies (IO I: 39). Did you decide correctly?

3. Listening for details

Listen once again. Correct the information where necessary.

OFFICE 1

• Working hours are flexible.

• Women aren't allowed to wear trousers.

• You can smoke in the cafeteria.

• You're allowed to have your lunch at your desk.

OFFICE 2

• You can't smoke in the office unless you're working late.

• You have to go to the canteen if you're thirsty.

• You aren't supposed to have a break every two hours.

• You can wear jeans.

OFFICE 3

• You don't have to dress smartly.

• You're supposed to start work at eight o'clock.

• You can't smoke in the building.

• If you want a coffee, you have to go to the cafe next door.