1. V ocabulary

1. Looking for a job

Use the words below to complete the text:

qualifications	experience	section
application	interview	CV

I thought it would be quite easy to find a job when I left school, but it’s been really difficult. I look through the job (1) … in the local paper every week, but everybody seems

to want people with lots of (2) … and I didn’t do very well at school. I’ve sent my (3) … to dozens of companies in the local area but nobody has got back to me. I must have filled in at least thirty (4) … forms and I’ve only had one reply. I went for an (5) … last week but it didn’t go very well – they said they wanted someone with more (6) … but I’ve never had a job! Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever find anything.

In the United Sates a CV is called a resume.

B) APPLYING FOR A JOB – VERBS

Use the correct form of these verbs to complete the sentences.

offer	send it off	find
go into	fill in	apply for

1. I left university six months ago and I still haven’t … a job. It’s more difficult than I thought it would be.

2. I’ve … apart-time job. I hope I get it – it’s four afternoons a week.

3. I’m not really sure what I want to do when I leave school. I might … banking like my Dad.

4. I’ve … the application form and … , so now I’ve just got to wait until I hear from them.

5. I can’t believe it. They’ve … me that job in New York. They want me to start next month.

When you apply for a job, the employer might ask for references from people who know you, particularly a previous employer. The person who writes your reference is called a referee.

C) JOB ADVERTISEMENTS

Use these words to complete the adverts:

salary	experience
temporary	rates
training	leave
applicant	apply
requires	position

L esson 55.

1. Vocabulary

Completing a job application

1. This is part of Vanessa Mendez’s application form. Notice how she has filled it in.

2. R eading comprehension

Read the form and complete this information:

Vanessa’s family name: .....................................

The job she is applying for: .....................................

Her e-mail address: .....................................

Her home telephone number: .....................................

Her postcode: .....................................

Her title: .....................................

3. W riting: filling in forms

Write your details in Form 2.

4. S peaking: talking about your skills

1. It’s useful to think about things you are good at when choosing a job.

L ook at these people talking about the things they are good at, and the things they enjoy doing.

Work in pairs. What other things can they say?

2. Think about yourself. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

Make notes in the table.

Things I’m good at
Things I enjoy
Things I’m not good at
Things I don’t enjoy

5. W riting about yourself

You often have to write other information on application forms.

1 . Look at Vanessa’s application form again. This is other information she wrote about herself. Use a dictionary to find the meaning of any new words.

2. Vanessa says she is honest and reliable. What other words can people use to describe themselves on an application form? Work in pairs and make a list of these words.

3. Write a short paragraph about yourself to use on an application form.

6. asking for a reference

Employers want to know that you are honest and a good worker. They will ask you for the names of one or two people who know you. These people are called referees. They write a reference about you.

R ead this extract from a dictionary

Which meaning of reference is the right one for application forms?

7 . READING

Read how someone is asking another person to be his referee.

Ahmed: Mr Robinson. Can I speak to you for a moment, please?

Mr Robinson: Yes, sure, what about?

Ahmed: I’m applying for a job in a supermarket. Could you give me a reference? Could I put your name on the application form?

Mr Robinson: Yes, of course.

Ahmed: Thank you very much.

Mr Robinson: That’s no problem. Good luck with your application …