your name:                                        starting date:                                       finnishing date:

ENTERING THE WORLD OF WORK

1 INTRODUCTION

Finding the right career is a big step in life, so it is important to think about what you want from a job before you start looking. List the following factors and your own ideas according to how important they are for you. Compare your results with a partner.

With a partner study the diagram above and decide which category is closest to your personality. (You may find that you have the characteristics of more than one category).

2 READING AND LISTENING – THREE JOB ADVERTISEMENTS

Before you read and listen:

What sort of work experience would you like to do? Where would you look to find a suitable temporary job?

Do the following exercises:

Find the English equivalent of the following German expressions in the three job adverts.

1 Praktikum

2 Kost und Logis

3 Taschengeld

4 Unterkunft

5 Fahrtkosten

6 zuständig für

7 ein Arbeitgeber im Sinne der Chancengleichheit

Fill out the following table using the information from the ads

3 VOCABULARY – CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Read the definitions and fill in the appropriate words in the crossword puzzle.
Use a dictionary if necessary.

Across:

5 8 11 13 15 16 18 19 20

A person filling out an application for a job. A formal letter in which you present yourself to a potential employer. to confirm or accept sth The different kinds of work that you will have to do in your job. what you are able to do The abilities you have which you can prove with certificates. things you have done the house or flat where you live sb who works without getting any money for it

Down:

1 2 3 4 6 7 9 10 12 14 17

If you develop your full …, you use all your abilities. teaching and learning in schools and colleges A short summary of your personal achievements. documents that can say sth about your qualifications and skills the time during which you can work activities outside regular school are … If you have decided you are definitely going to do sth, you are … further information about sb in a separate category on the CV the company you will work for the person in charge of a shift at work the aim you want to achieve

4 LISTENING

You are going to hear two people being interviewed about their jobs.Listen and make notes under the following headings for each job:

skills and qualifications – type of work – working hours – pay – promotion prospects – job security – job satisfaction

5 GRAMMAR

Complete the dialogue between a student and a careers advisor using the right form of the verbs in brackets in if sentences type 1.

Student

Now I’d like to ask some questions about pay. If I ____________________1 (work) as a bank clerk, how much ____________________2 (I / earn)?

Advisor

At entry level you ____________________3 (get) about £1,160 per month if you ____________________4 (be) at one of the big banks. If you _______________________5 (get) promotion, you ____________________6 (earn) a lot more. However, let me give you a word of warning. You _____________________7 (not get) promotion if you ____________________8 (not be) ambitious. If you ____________________9 (not apply) for a better position after some time, no one ____________________10 (offer) you one on a plate.

Expand the notes to make more if sentences type 1.

Example

you / get job / medical secretary / earn / £1,600 / month

If you get a job as a medical secretary, you’ll earn £1,600 a month.

1 you / work / volunteer / get / £150 / month

2 you / only get / allowance / £40 / week / work / intern

3 you / get a job / bank clerk / earn / £14,000 / year

4 you / have better job security / be / fully qualified

5 you / love clothes / not find it hard / work / boutique

6 READING – Looking at the CV

Compare the information on Eric’s CV with the job advertisement. Say why he believes he is a suitable candidate for the position.

7 READING—Looking at the Cover Letter

Read Eric’s cover letter to Magnus & Klein plc and label the parts 1-10

body of the letter – complimentaryclose – date – enclosure – inside address – reference – salutation – signature – subject line – writer’s address

Find the following sections in the body of the letter. Write out the key phrases in your notebook.

1. asking to be considered for an interview

2. reference to details on CV

3. reference to the position

4. saying why the writer is applying for the position

5. stating why the applicant is the best person for the job

8 WRITING—A COVER LETTER AND A CV

Work with a partner. Choose one of the following tasks.

A

Choose one of the three job advertisements from the previous pages. You and your partner are both going to apply for the job. Compile your own CV in English and write a cover letter. Use any items from Eric’s CV and cover letter that are appropriate for you. When you have finished, exchange your CV’S and cover letters and do peer correction.

B

1. With your partner, talk about what you would like to do in the future. Talk about where you would like to work and what type of work you would like to do. Make some notes and use them to write a shortjob advertisement. Pin it on the wall.

Choose one of the job advertisements from the wall and discuss with your partner. You and your partner are both going to apply for the job. Compile your own CV in English and write a cover letter. Use any items from Eric’s CV and cover letter that are appropriate for you. When you have finished, exchange your CV’S and cover letters and do peer correction.

9 PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW

Now it’s your turn. You are going to prepare for a job interview.

The HR office at Magnus & Klein has informed Eric that Ms Shaw will interview him on the phone next week. He prepares himself by making a list of questions Ms Shaw might ask him. He also thinks about what he would like to know from Ms Shaw.

With a partner study the list of typical interview questions and sort them under the correct heading

About yourself – About your motivation – About your education, work experience and skills

1. Can you tell me something about yourself?

2. Why do you want to work for this company?

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

4. Why are you training at vocational college?

5. Why do you think you would be a good candidate for the job?

6. What have you learned that might help you in the position you’re applying here?

10 LISTENING—AN INTERVIEW

Listen to the main part of the interview. Which questions does MS Shaw ask? How does Eric answer the questions? Make notes.

11 ROLE PLAY

Work with a partner. Use the role cards below to practise an interview for a job.