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Exercise 3. Answer the questions to the text.
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Exercise 3. Answer the questions to the text.
1. What should a ré sumé in today’s competitive market ‘sell’?
2. Why is it necessary for you to spend time customizing your experience and education?
3. What makes applying for jobs easier today?
4. What kind of ré sumé should it be?
5. What makes candidates stand out from others?
6. What is one of its most crucial components of your ré sumé?
7. What is the common mistake of job seekers writing the objective in a ré sumé?
8. What should go first in a ré sumé according to the experts’ opinion?
9. What section goes last?
10. Why is it advisable to include in a ré sumé even jobs lasting only some months?
TEXT 3
Exercise 1. Read the blog entry. Add the missing phrases from below. There is one item that you do not need to use.
JOB HUNTING
I now work as a regional marketing coordinator at a technology company, but when I first started looking for work, it wasn’t easy. This is the story of how I finally landed my first big job.
I went to college in Austin, Texas, and majored in Media Studies. I realized it would be very difficult to get a job after college, so I started looking in March of senior year. I probably submitted at least 100 applications. My persistence paid off, and (1)…. But I was paid just $10 an hour and only worked 15 hours a week, so I decided to keep looking for other jobs.
Large companies regularly held recruiting events in my area. When one was organized by a social-networking site, I attended and applied for a position. Unfortunately, when I was offered an interview, (2) … - that was foolish! After (3) …, I felt really bad.
As I wasn’t making enough to support myself, (4) …. A friend of mine helped me to get a position at the coffee shop where she worked - at least I was making some more money, but it was very boring, so I kept on hunting.
One day, I got an email from a woman at a technology company. I had handed in my resume there three months earlier, and she asked if I was looking for a full-time position! I was so excited when they offered me an interview. (5) …. It took me a while to get where I am now, but I think I’ve been lucky.
a. I found out that I hadn’t in fact been successful on that occasion
b. I went through their regular recruitment process, and started two weeks later
c. I thought I’d nearly got the job, and stopped applying for other ones
d. I enjoyed all the perks and took advantage of everything they offered
e. I carried on trying to find part-time work with absolutely any company
f. I managed to find work with a social-media marketing company
Exercise 2. Fill in a table matching the figures from the text and the letters from the sentences.
Exercise 3. Answer the questions and give your own ideas based on your experience.
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1. Do you have an experience of an interview?
2. Was it successful or not? Why?
3. Have you ever looked for any job?
4. What are your requirements for you future job?
5. What is more important for you: to have a big salary or to have an interesting work?
6. What type of work do you prefer: full-time or part-time?
7. Does promotion play a significant role for you in choosing a job?
8. Have you ever worked for any company?
9. Were you satisfied with your work? Boss? Salary?
10. Did you have any chance of promotion working for the company? What did it depend on (your personal qualities or skills)?
PART 2 PRACTICE YOUR READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS
TEXT 1
Exercise 1. Read the text:
LETTERS OF APPTICATION
A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer's attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job. Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work; and it is, as well, an opportunity to demonstrate, not just talk about, your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with professional care, it is likely to hit its marks. There are two types of application letters. A solicited letter is sent in response to a help- wanted ad. Because such a letter will be in competition with many, perhaps several hundred others, it must be composed with distinctions At the same time, it must refer to the ad and the specific job advertised. An unsolicited letter is sent to a company for which you would like to work though you know of no particular opening. The advantage of this type of application, however, is that there will be little competition and you can define yourself the position you would like to apply for. You can send out as many letters as you wish, to as many companies as you are aware of; it is a good idea, though, to find out the name of a specific person to whom you can send the letter-a more effective approach than simply addressing a letter to " Personnel. " Because a letter of application must sell your qualifications, or it must do more than simply restate your resume in paragraph form.
While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasize your strongest and most pertinent characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company. A letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must, at the same time, be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor meek: neither pat yourself on the backs nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with a present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job. Keep in mind the following principles when writing your letter of application:
1. Start by attracting attention. You must say, of course, that you are applying and mention both the specific job and how you heard about it. But try to avoid a mundane opening. Instead of: I would, like to apply for the position of legal secretary which you advertised in the Los Angeles Times of Sunday, August10...
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Try something a bit more original: I believe you will find my experiences in the Alameda District Attorney's office have prepared me well for the position of legal secretary which you advertised in the Los Angeles Times of Sunday, August 10. . .
2. Continue by describing your qualifications. Highlight your strengths and achievements and say how they suit you for the job at hand. Provide details and explanations not found on your resume, and refer the reader to the resume for the remaining, less pertinent facts.
3. Assure the employer that you are the person for the job. List verifiable facts that prove you are not exaggerating or lying. Mention the names of any familiar or prominent references you may have. In some way, distinguish yourself from the mass of other qualified applicants.
4. Conclude by requesting an interview.. Urge the employer to action by making it easy to contact you. Mention your telephone number and the best hours to reach you, or state that you will call him or her within a few days.
A complete application should contain both a letter of application and a resume. While it is possible to write a letter so complete in detail that a resume seems redundant, it is always most professional to include both.
Finally, a word about salary: basically, unless instructed by the want ad, it is best that you not broach the subject. Indeed, even if an ad requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them " negotiable. However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range (e. g., $40, 000 - $45, 000). For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don't want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.
By Andrea B. Geffner from Business Letters the Easy Way
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