Unit 4. Becoming a job applicant

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Confucius

Task 1. Scan the text in Task 5 for the highlighted words and create a mini-glossary¹ on the topic.

Task 2. Match the sentence parts to make definitions.

1. An internship is	to take a short trip to do a specific thing.
2. To blend means	you have arranged to see them at a particular time.
3. Academic credit is	to combine into one.
4.An assignment is	a letter sent along with other documents to provide additional information.
If you have an appointment with someone,	a method of on-the-job training for white-collar and professional careers.
The term 'cover letter' means	a piece of work you are given to do.
If you submit an application to someone,	a means of quantifying and recognizing learning.
If you apply to do something,	a job or position of responsibility.
To run an errand means	work that is menial and thankless.
“Grunt” work is	you send it to them so they can decide whether to accept it.
An appointment is	you write asking formally to be allowed to do it.

Task 3. Give the Russian equivalents to the words and phrases below.

To launch into career, to work in, an internship, an intern, to relate, on-the-job experience, to put into action, an academic credit, volunteer opportunities, assignments, co-op experience, field experience, to make an appointment, campus, employers, to submit a resume, a cover letter, to apply for a job, internship programs, externship, applications, to succeed at, to gain from, to clarify, to run errands, “grunt” work, practicum, job openings.

Task 4. Match the verbs and phrases with the similar meaning.

1. to launch into	a. to maximize
2. to relate to	b. to be on the high horse
3. to put into action	c. to begin with vigor
4. to submit	d. be at beck and call
to succeed at	e. to refer for judgment
to get the most out of	f. to take advantage of
to gain from	g. to cross off
to rule out	h. to implement
to run errands	i. to concern

Task 5. Skim the text and choose the best title for it.

1. Gaining Experience as an Intern

2. Internships

3. Ways to find an internship

________________________

One way to launch into your career is an internship. As an intern, you work in a job that relates directly to your career interests. Internships blend classroom learning with on-the-job experience. You get to put your technical and transferable skills into action. Internships often offer academic credit. Some involve paid positions, while other internships are volunteer opportunities. Interns usually prepare for their assignments by completing courses in a specific field. Note that internships may be called by other names, such as co-op experience, practicum, externship, and field experience.

To find an internship, make an appointment with someone at the career planning or counseling office on your campus. There you can connect with employers in your area who are looking for interns. You will likely submit a resume and cover letter explaining your career interests. This is valuable in itself as experience in applying for jobs. You can also locate organizations that interest you and contact them directly about internships. Even companies that do not have formal internship programs may accept applications.

Succeed at your internship. To get the most out of your internships, act professionally every moment that you’re on the job. In addition:

Get direction. Find an internship supervisor and meet with that person regularly. Ask this person to explain your tasks and offer feedback on how you’re doing.

Set a goal. Think about what you’d most like to gain from your internship. For example, your main goal might be to gain information about a career that you can’t get from any other source, clarify your choice of a major, or meet people who can recommend you for a job in the future.

Look for value in any experience. Interns are sometimes asked to make photocopies, run errands, and do other “grunt” work. Complete these tasks with a constructive attitude. Use them to demonstrate that you have integrity and a strong work ethic. These are key transferable skills.

Remember that any internship might lead you to a full-time, professional job following graduation. Keep in touch with the people you meet. Even if they are working at another company when you graduate, they can help you find job openings.

Reflect on your internship. Internships offer a great way to test a career choice, even if you find out that you don’t like a particular job. You can benefit from ruling out a career choice early on – especially if it involves a major with a lot of required courses.

(Becoming a Master Student)

Task 6. Read the text in Task 5 and choose the best answer.

1. One way to start your career is

1. a career planning.

2. an internship.

3. a practicum.

2. Internships may be known as

1. cooperative experience.

2. experience.

3. field practicum.

3. To find an internship, arrange the meeting with

1. someone at the career planning.

2. someone at the career planning or counseling office.

3. fellows on your campus.

4. Companies that do not have formal internship programs may

1. accept applications.

2. accept arguments.

3. accept goods.

5. Act professionally every moment that you are on the job in order to

1. take advantage of your internship.

2. find an internship supervisor.

3. apply for a job.

6. Your main task in internship will be

1. to increase the reputation of the company.

2. to gain information about a career.

3. to clarify a career choice.

7. In any experience you should demonstrate that

1. you have integrity and a strong work ethic.

2. you run errands.

3. you can make photocopies.

Task 7. Decide if the statements are true, false or not mentioned in the text in Task 5.

1. Some internships involve un-paid positions, while other internships are volunteer opportunities.

2. Internships are a great way for students to test their skills in real-life situations, explore career options.

3. Internships are distinguished from independent study in that you will be working directly with a community professional, rather than on your own or primarily with a faculty member.

4. Journal writing provides an opportunity to record observations about your experience, your readings, and your discussions with your field supervisor, faculty sponsor, and internship coordinator.

5. It’s possible that you will write and submit a cover letter explaining your interests.

6. Interns are sometimes asked to fulfill assignments.

7. Communicate with the people you meet, they can bear a hand in finding vacant jobs.

8. You can locate organizations that interest you and take hold of them directly.

Task 8. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. The purpose of an internship is to allow the intern / interner to gain work experience in an area related to your studies or that you feel you would be interested in pursuing / pursue in the future.

2. Grunt work is often an essential component to climbing the career / job ladder.

3. Students participate in four semesters of classes and two semesters of cooperative agreement / cooperative education, which involves paid summer internships.

4. Internships are much more than just a way to impress potential employers / workers or flesh out your CV.

5. Apply for an internship when you feel you are best able to take full advantage / disadvantage of the experience.

6. Many employers use their internship programs / programes as a proving ground for the hiring process and are able to save money in their recruitment efforts by trying out potential new employment / employees prior to extending an actual job offer.

Task 9. Make the word collocations and translate them.

to plan	a. an internship
to make	b. the career choice
to gain from	c. a career
to clarify	d. value
to look for	e. errands
to keep in touch	f. an appointment
to rule out	g. a panel
to find	h. with people
to run	i. job openings
to offer	j. feedback

Task 10. Answer the questions about the text in Task 5.

1. What is the purpose of participating in an internship?

2. Are there other names for an internship?

3. How can you find an internship?

4. What should you do to get the most out of your internship?

5. Do internships offer a great way to test a career choice?

6. Which forms of documents are internship / job applicants usually asked for?

Task 11. Read the information about the forms of documents that job applicants are usually asked for and complete the sentences.

Resume Biodata Curriculum Vitae (CV) Application form

Cover letter

1. ________ is a commonly used psychology term for biographical data. _________surveys are in the form of multiple choice questions. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, it is essentially a resume plus physical attributes, such has height, weight, hair/skin/eye color, and a photo.

1. ________ is a form created by the employer to collect information from job applicants. It is organized for the convenience of the employer.

2. A ______ is a summary of a person’s educational background and work history for a potential employer. It is used in North America and in countries under American cultural influence.

3. A _________ is a list of one's professional and educational history and tends to focus on one area of expertise. It's commonly used by authors, researchers, speakers, professors and other experts in a particular field. It is the norm in Europe as well as in countries with which it traditionally has cultural ties. In keeping with the Latin meaning (roughly equivalent to ‘course of life’), the phrase usually refers to the short account of a person’s career and qualifications that is prepared when applying for a position. It thus provides the occasion to delve more deeply into an applicant’s educational, professional and personal details.

4. A _______ is a letter to an employer that says which position you're applying for and includes an overview of your skills. You should always include a _______ when you mail or E-mail your resume to an employer, even if they don't ask for one. ________ are actually a great way to set yourself apart from the rest if you write it correctly.

Task 12. Study the table and discuss with a partner similarities and differences between a Resume and a Curriculum Vita.

Resume	Curriculum Vita
The first and sometimes the only thing an employer will see about you, it is often the most critical item in determining whether or not you will obtain an interview.
Serve as an advertisement of your skills, knowledge, and relevant experience.
Purpose
Outlines your personal, educational and work related experiences	Comprehensive summary of your educational and professional experience, including publications, presentations, professional activities, honors, and additional information
Length
One- or two-page document	Generally three or more pages in length, depending on your qualifications and level of experience
Focus
Strengths and qualifications for a particular position	Comprehensive biographical statement
Objective Statement Included?
Yes	No
Used in application for these types of positions
Business, non-profit, other nonacademic positions	Faculty, research, clinical, or scientific positions

1. What is the purpose of a resume / CV?

2. What is the length of a resume / CV?

3. What does a resume / CV focus at?

4. Is the Objective statement included in a resume / CV?

5. What types of positions is a resume / CV required?

6. Have you ever written one of these documents in English?

7. Do you think that the information you include and the way you organize a resume / CV in English will be the same as a resume / CV in Russian?

Task 13. Read the text “Use resumes to get interviews” and decide on the best word.