Strengths Weaknesses Positive characteristics

MODULE 6. PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION.

Unit 1. Applying for a Job. Stages in Job Application.

Active vocabulary

1. (To) advertise ['ædvətaɪz] рекламувати,давати оголошення

2. Advertisement [əd'vɜːtɪsmənt] реклама, оголошення

3. Applicant ['æplɪk(ə)nt] кандидат, претендент (на посаду)

4. Application form [æplɪˌkeɪʃ(ə)n'fɔːm] анкета, бланк заяви

5. (To) apply for (a job) подавати заяву про прийом на роботу

6. (To) appoint [ə'pɔɪnt] призначати

7. Background ['bækgraund] біографічні дані, підготовка

8. Cover letter (AmE) ['kʌvə'letə] супровідний лист

Covering letter (BrE) ['kʌvərɪŋ'letə]

9. CV, Curriculum Vitae (BrE) резюме, коротка автобіографія

[ˌsiː'viː][kəˌrɪkjələm'viːtaɪ]

10. Employee [ˌɪmplɔɪ'iː] службовець, працівник

11. Employer [ɪm'plɔɪə] роботодавець

12. (To) fill in an application form (BrE) заповнювати анкету

13. (To) hire ['haɪə] наймати

14. Position [pə'zɪʃ(ə)n] / Post [pəust] посада, місце

15. Qualification [ˌkwɔlɪfɪ'keɪʃ(ə)n] кваліфікація, підготовленість

16. Referee [ˌrefə'riː] той, хто дає рекомендацію

17. Reference ['ref(ə)rəns] рекомендація, характеристика 18. Resume (AmE), résumé ['rezjuːmeɪ] резюме, коротка автобіографія

19. Skills [skɪlz] вміння, навички

20. Vacancy ['veɪkənsɪ] вакансія, вільне місце

21. Work experience [ɪk'spɪ(ə)rɪəns] досвід роботи

Reading

Exercise 1. A) Teresa Fernandez is applying for a job in civil engineering. Match the extracts (a─h) from the documents and conversations to the stages in the job application process. Then put the stages into the most logical sequence.

__ Sending a cover letter __Making interview small talk

__Sending a CV/resume __ Reading a job advertisement

__Sending a follow-up letter __Researching the market

__Responding to interview questions __Researching yourself

a) _____________________________

‘Teresa?’

‘Yes. Hello.’

‘Good afternoon. My name’s Alan Cassidy. Sorry to keep you waiting.’

‘That’s all right. I’ve been enjoying your company brochure. It all looks very impressive. It’s nice to meet you at last.’

‘Thanks. Have you travelled far to us today?’

‘Quite far. I am not currently based in London, so I came on the train this morning.’

b) _____________________________

c) _____________________________

I am a recent graduate with first-hand experience of civil engineering. I would like to apply for the position of Infrastructure Design Engineer, as advertised in The Guardians.

I find the prospect of working for your company very attractive because it will enable to put my deep theoretical knowledge into a very practical context in a successful firm.

d) _____________________________

I am writing to thank you for giving me the opportunity of an interview today. Everyone in your office was friendly and made me feel very welcome.

As we discussed during the interview, I believe my skills and experience would enable me to make a very useful contribution to your team.

e) _____________________________

“What would you say are your main weaknesses?”

“Well, I didn’t use to be very well-organized. Nothing very serious, but for example I used to forget my friends’ birthdays or try to rush university assignments to get them done at the last minute. But in the last few years I’ve learnt some nice tricks to help me organize my life ─ simple things like writing down all my tasks for the day and not relaxing until I’ve done everything I need to do.”

f) _____________________________

g) _____________________________

h) _____________________________

‘Good afternoon. Civil, Structural & Environmental Consulting Engineers. How can I help you? ’

‘Hello. My name’s Teresa Fernandez. Could I speak to Mr Cassidy, please?’

‘I’m afraid he’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?’

‘I’m not sure. I was calling to see if there are any vacancies of an infrastructure design engineer in your company. I’m a recent graduate, and I’m very keen to work for a company like yours, because of your excellent reputation.’

‘Actually, I think there is a vacancy. There was an advert in The Guardian last week. Have you seen it?’

‘No, I must have missed that. Do you have a copy of the advert that you could send me?’

‘Of course, but you’ll have to be quick: the closing date is tomorrow.’

B) Read the extracts again. Which extract(s) mention(s):

1) details of Teresa’s work experience? _______

2) details of Teresa’s studies and qualifications? _______

3) the job salary? _______

4) Teresa’s weaknesses? _______

5) where the vacancy is advertised? _______

6) a compliment from Teresa about the company? _______

7) evidence of Teresa’s research into the company? _______

8) teamwork? _______

Researching yourself

The first thing you need to do when starting job-hunting process is a self-assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses.

Exercise 2. The ‘mind map’ below can help highlight the strengths and weaknesses. Complete the sentences (a-j) using the prepositions in, toand at.Then complete the headings (1-6) on the mind map using the words in the box.

Exercise 3. A) Read a conversation of two friends, Federico and Jack, talking about Federico’s strengths and weaknesses.

Jack: So, Federico. What’s all this about you moving jobs?

Federico: Well, yes, I’ve just decided to start looking for a new job. I love my current job, and my colleagues are great, but if I’m going to get more experience, I’ll have to go somewhere else.

Jack: Sure you can’t get that experience where you are?

Federico: No. Our company’s too small. I need to go somewhere bigger.

Jack: Any idea? Where?

Federico: Well, I’ve got a few companies in mind.

Jack: And have you got the skills and experience these companies are looking for?

Federico: Well, I’ve got the qualifications they’re looking for. When it comes to skills and experience, I think I can demonstrate that I’m very adaptable. I don’t mind working late or at weekends, and I’ll have a go at anything, I pick things up very quickly.

Jack: That’s true.

Federico: I’m also good at coming up with new ideas and suggesting alternative solutions.

Jack: Yeah. I remember when we used to work together, you used to stick notes with new ideas everywhere. Your desk was such a mess and you never knew where anything was. The desk of a creative genius, I guess!

Federico: Well, the desk is still a mess, but at least I know where everything is now!

Jack: Well, it sounds like you’ve got a lot to offer.

Federico: Yes, although the main company I’m interested in is looking for someone who can speak English and a bit of German. I speak English fluently, but German… I’ve never even been to Germany. I’d love to be able to speak German, though.

Jack: So, what are you going to do about it?

Federico: Well, actually I’ve already started taking lessons, and I’ve started listening to German language podcasts while I travel by bus. I hope that my commitment might help convince the company to take me on.

Jack: That’s impressive. How’s it going?

Federico: It’s tough, but if I want to get a job, I’ve got to make an effort.

B) In pairs, discuss the questions.

1. What has Federico recently decided to do?

2. Why has he made this decision?

3. What does Federico claim to be good at?

4. What would Federico really like to be able to do?

5. What is Federico doing in order to achieve this aim?

C) Underline the personal characteristics below that best describe Federico. In pairs, discuss your answers using evidence from the conversation to support your opinion.

Creative Disorganized Flexible Decisive

Impatient Reliable Successful Persuasive

Exercise 4. A) Match the personal characteristics to the questions.

1. Creative a) Do you always do what you say you’ll do?

2. Decisive b) Are you good at getting other people to agree with you?

3. Flexiblec) Are you good at making your mind up quickly?

4. Organized d) Are you able to plan ahead successfully?

5. Persuasive e) Are you able to cope with last-minute changes?

6. Reliable f) Are you good at coming up with imaginative solutions?

B) In pairs, take turns to ask and answer the questions above. Discuss your individual strengths and weaknesses giving specific evidence.

e.g. A:Do you always do what you say you’ll do?

B: Yes, I’m reliable. I’m always on time to work, classes and meetings, and when I can’t make it, I let people know ahead of time.

Exercise 5. Complete the phrases with the ideas that are true for you.

Strengths Weaknesses Positive characteristics

I’m excellent at… I’m not very good at… I try to…

I’m able to… I could be better at… Negative characteristics

I’m interested in… I’m reasonably good at… I can sometimes be…

I recently managed to… I would like to be able to… I can be a little bit…

Exercise 6. A) Match the skills to the examples of professional behaviour.

B) Write your own examples of behavior for the following skills.

Leadership skills: I am good at….

_________________________________________________________

Organizational skills:

__________________________________________________________ Teamworking skills:

__________________________________________________________

Exercise 7. Complete the phrases demonstrating skills using the correct verbs in brackets.

1. Analytical skills (analyze / conduct / identify)

a) _________ a mistake b) _________ data c) _________ a survey

2. Creativity (invent / solve / suggest)

a) _______ a machine b) ________ an alternative c) _______ a problem

3. Communication skills (explain / give / write)

a) _________a report b) _________an idea c)________a presentation

4. Interpersonal skills (listen / resolve / work)

a) _________ a dispute b) _________to a point of view

c) _________ with ‘difficult’ people

5. Leadership skills (chair/ delegate / motivate)

a) _________ a meeting b) _________ a team c) _________ tasks

6. Organizational skills (decide / implement /meet)

a) _________deadlines b)_________on priorities c) _________ a plan

7. Teamworking skills (contribute / discuss / support)

a) _________an issue b)_________to a meeting c)________a colleague

6. Negotiation skills (change / convince / negotiate)

a) ___________ someone’s mind b)____________ with someone

c) ___________ someone to do something

Exercise 8. Identify three skills of your own which you have used at university or will use at work. Tell about your skills giving examples of your behavior.

Exercise 9. A) Read the list of the essential duties and responsibilities of a civil engineer below. What skills are necessary to perform these duties and responsibilities?

1. to provide detailed fact finding, research and analysis;

2. to provide support for less experienced staff;

3. to develop computer models, including detailed and potentially complex spreadsheet analyses;

4. to assist with engagement planning activities including the development of draft work plans and budgets;

5. to prepare client communication for senior level review.

B) Work in small groups. Discuss what other responsibilities civil engineers can have. What skills do you need to become a civil engineer?

Exercise 10. Read about different stages of the job application process.

APPLYING FOR A JOB

If you look for a job, you can look in the situations vacant pages of your local newspaper, where companies advertise for several positions. Then you can apply for the job by completing an application form and send it in.

Harry is an engineer. He saw a job in the appointments pages of one of the national papers. He made an application, sending in his CV (curriculum vitae) and a covering letter explaining why he wanted the job and why he was the right person for it.

Note: Situation, post and position are formal words often used in job advertisements and applications.

Selection Procedures

Dagmar Schmidt is the head of recruitment at a German telecommunication company. She talks about the selection process, the methods that the company uses to recruit people:

‘We advertise in national newspapers. We look at the background of applicants: their experience of different jobs and their educational qualifications. We don’t ask for handwritten letters of application as people usually apply by e-mail. We invite the most interesting candidates to the company and have individual interviews with each candidate. After this, we shortlist three or four candidates. We check their references by writing to their referees: previous employers or teachers that candidates have named in their applications. If the references are OK, we ask the candidates to come back for more interviews. Finally, we offer the job to someone, and if they turn it down we have to think again. If they accept it, we hire them. We only appoint someone if we find the right person.’ (from ‘Business Vocabulary in Use’)

Exercise 11. Look at the pairs of words and expressions in boldand decide which one is best in each situation. In some cases, both words are correct.

Part 1

When a company has a (1) vacancy/ vacantfor a job, and it needs to (2) hire/ recruita new member of (3) crew/ staff, it usually (4) publicises/ advertisesthe (5) post/position. A job advertisement has to give an accurate (6) describing/ descriptionof the job and what the company needs and expects from the (7) applicant/ application(the person who is (8) applying/ appallingfor the job). These (9) requirements/ requisitionsmight include (10) qualifications/ qualifiers(academic or professional), (11) experience/ experiencesin similar lines of work, and personal (12) qualifications/ qualities.

Part 2

If somebody is interested in the job, they are asked to send their (1) curriculum vitae/ résumé(which should give details of their education and any skills or interests relevant for the job they are applying for). This should be accompanied by a (2) cover/ coveringletter which should explain briefly why they are applying for the job and why they think they would be (3) suiting/ suitablefor it. They might be asked to (4) fill in/ fill outan (5) application/ applicantform and (6) submit/ sendit to the company. The managers of the company will read these and then make a (7) short-list/ small-listof the people they would like to attend an (8) interrogation/ interview. At the same time, they will (9) reject/ turn downthose who they feel are unsuitable.

The people who are responsible for choosing a new employee will consider the different aspects of the (10) candidates/ applicantsto decide whether they have the correct (11) potency/ potentialfor the job. They might have special (12) skills/ abilities(for example, are they computer (13) literate/ numerate, can they drive, or do they speak any other languages?) and (14) interests/ hobbies(what do they like doing in their free time?). They might also consider their family (15) backing/ background.The person who most closely (16) suits/ matchesthe (17) profile/ criteriawill then be accepted for the job. Before somebody is (18) offered/ suggestedthe job, s/he is asked to provide (19) referees/ referencesfrom people who know him / her (usually a former (20) employer/ employee, a (21) colleague/ co-worker, or a teacher or college tutor).

Speaking

Exercise 12. Work in pairs. Make up a dialogue using the questions.

1. What criteria do you think people use when they choose their future profession?

2. What has inspired you to choose your profession?

3. What is your future speciality?

4. Are people who have civil engineering training in demand in modern society?

5. Are computer sciences and foreign languages in the focus of the civil engineering curriculum nowadays?

6. What subjects do you consider to be the most important for you to gain your professional skills?

7. Will the knowledge of any foreign language promote your career?

8. What kinds of companies can employ you?

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