2. Understanding the main points

C

message contribute format related back impression

headings recent application easy help resume

update make websites specification entries

omplete the summary of advice given in the article with words from the box. You will not need all the words.

The job market is becoming increasingly competitive and your (1) application package should show that you are aware of employers’ needs.

Your letter must make a good first (2) _______________ so use appropriate letter (3) _________________________and salutations. Don’ write too much but make sure you emphasize what you can (4) ____________________ to the organization. State some of your abilities and experience, (5) ______________________ these up with examples, and refer the reader to your (6) _______________________ for more information.

Your CV should be (7) _____________________ to read, with clear sections and (8) ________________ , bullet or numbered points, and plenty of space. Check some books or (9) ____________________ for acceptable formats. List your most (10) _____________________ experience or achievements first and work backwards in time, and don’t send an identical CV every time – (11) ___________________ it to reflect the specific job opportunity.

3. Dictionary skills: Identifying the correct meaning

a. Look at the dictionary extract for the word handle (para. 2) and read through the advice below on how to find the correct meaning.

1. Look at the word in the sentence in the article. Decide whether it is a noun, verb, adjective, etc.

2. In the article, the word handle is a verb, so only look at the dictionary extract for verbs.

3. There are three possible meanings; look at the SHORT CUTS (in capital letters) to find the closest general meaning. In this case, it is the first meaning.

4. Look at the definition and the examples to check you have chosen the right meaning.

handle /'haendl/ verb, noun

• verb

DEAL WITH 1 [VN] to deal with or control a situation, a per­son, an area of work or a strong emotion: A new man was appointed to handle the crisis.

TOUCH WITH HANDS 2 [VN] to touch, hold or move sth with your hands: Our cat hates being handled.

CONTROL 3 [VN] to control a vehicle, an animal, a tool, etc: I wasn’t sure if I could handle such a powerful car.

• noun

OF D00R/DRAWER/WIND0W 1 the part of a door, drawer, window, etc. that you use to open it: She turned the handle and opened the door.

OF CUP/BAG/TOOL 2 the part of an object, such as a cup, a bag, or a tool that you use to hold it, or carry it: the handle of a knife

entry from Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary ISBN 019431510X

b. Look at the following words that come from the article. Use a monolingual dictionary to find the right definition

1. hire _______________________________________________________________________

2. fit _______________________________________________________________________

3. bare _______________________________________________________________________

4. key _______________________________________________________________________

Text 2.

You are going to read part of a leaflet prepared by a large employment agency. It gives advice on what to do and what not to do at interviews. Choose the most suitable heading from the list (A-F) for each part (1-4). There is an example at the beginning (0). Notice that there is one heading which you DO NOT need to use.

Read the text quickly first for general understanding. You only need to understand the main point of each paragraph. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every word. Then read each paragraph and decide what the main idea is and find the best heading. Be careful, ad the headings will not use the same words as in the text. When you have read all the paragraphs, go back and check your answers.

1. ‘Why did you leave your last job?’

2. What else should you do during the interview?

3. ‘What did you do in your previous job?’

4. How should you prepare for the interview?

5. ‘Why do you want to work for us?’

6. What questions should I ask my interviewers?

0

D

• Find out as much information as you can about your prospective employers and the business they are in. Think about the questions you are most likely to be asked, and at least three questions you would like to ask them. Then make sure you arrive for the interview at least fifteen minutes early. Here, by the way, are four of the most frequent questions interviewers ask. Think calmly about them while you are waiting.

  1

• Don’t just give the name of the job. Describe the main duties and responsibilities of the job involved. Then pause and see if your interviewer has any further questions.

• Be as positive as possible. Emphasize all the things you learned that you think will be useful in the new job. Be sure to mention any promotion or advancement you had.

2

• Never say “It was boring”. Instead, say that you didn’t think you could make use of your full abilities. Don’t criticize your previous employer. If you lost your job through no fault of your own, briefly describe the problems the company had. Never give your prospective employers the impression that you are bitter.

  3

• Don’t talk only about what you hope to get from the firm. Emphasize what you think you can do for them and all the things in your previous experience and training that you think will be useful in the new job. Be sure also to mention something you have learned about your prospective employers that interests you.

  4

• Relax. Be yourself.

• Look at your interviewer when he or she asks you questions.

• If you don’t understand a question, politely say “I’m not sure I understand. Do you mean…”

• Remember the questions you would like to ask. Be sure to ask at least one or two before the interview is over.

• At the end, thank you your interviewers for seeing you.

Text 3.