Unit 4: Applying for a job

I. Job Application

A job application is a collection of materials you send to a company or

organization where you would like to work. Job applications almost always
include your resume, and often include a cover letter, a list of references and
any other materials that help hiring managers get a sense of you as a
candidate, such as a portfolio of your work. Most often, a job application is
submitted to apply for a specific position, which is posted with a job
description. After submitting, you might be invited to schedule an interview or
to complete a take-home assignment. While each company might have their
own type of hiring process, you’ll almost always have to convey in some way
who you are, where you’ve worked and why you’re interested in the company.

II. Curriculum Vitae / Resumé

Your CV, short for curriculum vitae, is a personal marketing document used to “sell” yourself to prospective employers.
It should tell them about you, your professional history and your skills, abilities and achievements. Ultimately, it should
highlight why you’re the best person for the job.

While the structure of a CV is flexible, there are particular sections that employers expect to see on your CV regardless.

Activity 1: Discuss with your partners about the information that you should, or you shouldn’t include in a CV.

- Religion. Five basic principles for a good CV

- E-mail address.
1. Concentrate on the essentials.
- Job applied for.
2. Be clear and concise.
- Hobbies. 3. Always adapt your CV to suit the
post you are applying for.
- Work experience. 4. Pay attention to the presentation
of your CV.
- High School information.
5. Check your CV once you have filled
- Pages you follow on Facebook. it in.

- Skills. Extra Resource:

- Publications. - http://www.businessinsider.com/
things-not-to-put-on-your-resume-
- Current photograph. 2016-5#1-an-objective-1
-
- Training information.

- Physical description.

- Age.
 - Instagram or Pinterest profile information.

- Education.

- References.

Activity 2: Parts of a Curriculum Vitae: Organize the information. Put the correct numbers.

1. Personal details. ___Date of birth: April 30, 1992.

2. Education. ___Languages: Spanish (Native), English (B2), German

(A1).
3. Work experience.
___Innovative and decision maker.
4. Skills.
___ Master in Business Administration.
5. Professional development.
___ IT support analyst for international company in
Boston.

___ 123 Park Avenue, Michigan MI 60689.

___ Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health.

___ Experience in different industries like education,

retail and construction.

___Food safety certificate.

___ Agricultural engineering, Inacap.

Education

Examples:

1. My brother holds a Bachelor’s Degree.

2. My boss has taken several vocational courses

this year.

3. I am going to university next year. I want to

get / earn a Doctorate Degree.

4. My best friend is unemployed now. She has a

Master’s Degree, but she has no experience.
Language level:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KquYBc11FP0
Activity 3: Search the meanings of the personality traits in the box. Match the adjectives with the jobs where you
think they are important to have. You can use them more than once.

Excellent Communicator; Analytical; Organized; Energetic; Innovative; Open to experience; Rational; Decision
maker; Detail oriented; Dynamic; Supportive; Cooperative; Methodical; Extraverted; Persuasive; Learning agility.

Sales and Marketing Accounting and Managers and

IT Analyst
Positions Banking Positions Leaders

III. Job interviews.

Warm-up: Discuss with a partner: When was the last time you were an interviewee? How did you feel?

Activity 1: Put the phrases below in logical order. Discuss with your classmates.
Get promoted; be offered a job; run your own company; apply for a job;
work long hours; resign; have an interview; prepare a CV; take a job
Activity 2: Answer True or False to the sentences below.

1. You should know about the company before the interview. ________

2. If you arrive early, a good idea is to take a look at your notes. ________

3. You should sound hesitant during your interview. ________

4. When you don’t know something, you should try to hide it. ________

5. It’s a good idea to have one or two questions to ask. ________

6. In case of doubts you should call afterwards and explain yourself better. ________

Activity 3: Read the following questions that you can find in a job interview. Work in groups to answer them.

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

2. What did you like about your previous job?

3. What did you dislike about your previous job?

4. Do you have people skills? / Are you good with people?

(computer, language, presentation, negotiating) Extra Resource:

5. What are your greatest strengths?
- https://
6. What is your greatest weakness? www.thebalancecareers.com/top-
interview-tips-2058577
7. Tell me a little about your previous work experience.
- https://englishlive.ef.com/blog/
8. Can you…/ are you able to… / * perform any task*? career-english/how-to-talk-about-
work-experience/
9. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?

10. Can you start straight away?

Are you available to start straight away?

11. Do you have any certifications or degree?

12. Can you work from 9 to 6, Monday to Friday?

13. What are your salary expectations?

14. What are your goals for the future?

15. Do you consider yourself an innovative person?

(supportive, diligent, decision-maker, detail oriented, methodical)

Activity 4: Match the questions on the left with the answers on the right.

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself? A ___ I liked work environment.

2. What did you like about your previous job? B ___ Yes, I do. / No, I don’t. - Yes, I am innovative and
diligent / No, but I am a decision-maker person and
3. What did you dislike about your previous job?
supportive.
4. Do you have people skills? / Are you good with
C ___ Yes, I’m available to start immediately. / Actually, no, I
people? (computer, language, presentation,
have to wait for 2 weeks to leave my current job.
negotiating)
D ___ I didn’t like that my colleagues were too competitive,
5. What are your greatest strengths?
and it was too far from home.
6. What is your greatest weakness?
E ___ I’m a hardworking person, I’m innovative, and I have
7. Tell me a little about your previous work the ability to work as a team.
experience.
F ___ Yes, I am very good with people. / Not really, but…I
8. Can you…/ are you able to… / give support to like to work as a team.
customers?
G ___ Well, I worked for Walmart / I worked as an assistant
9. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team? manager / I worked in Santiago.

10. Can you start straight away? Are you available H ___ I am an engineer in telecommunications. I have
to start straight away? worked for 5 years in the area, and I am interested in…

11. Do you have any certifications or degree? I ___ Yes, I have a certificate in… / I hold a Bachelor of
Science in Agricultural Economics Degree.
12. Can you work from 9 to 6, Monday to Friday?
J ___ Yes, actually I have / hold a Diploma in Customer
13. What are your salary expectations? service.

14. What are your goals for the future? K ___ Well, I think I perform better working alone / I prefer
to work as a team because everyone can contribute good
15. Do you consider yourself an innovative
ideas.
person? (supportive, diligent, decision-maker,
detail oriented, methodical) L ___ Yes, I can. No problem. / Well, it’s difficult for me right
now, but I guess I could rearrange my schedule.

M ___ I’m not very tolerant and a bit impatient. / I don’t

have much work experience.

N ___ In the future, I would like to… get a certification /

improve my language skills / travel abroad.

Ñ ___ In line with local rate… / adapted to – according to the

market.