TOPIC : JOBS AND WORK Listen, read and practise.

She Seems to Be the Best Qualified

A vacancy had arisen in Mr Kay's small office. His secretary, who

was pregnant, was suddenly advised by her doctor to give up

working. Mr Kay had to find a replacement quickly and he

advertised her post in the press. He placed an advertisement in

; three newspapers. Several girls (and a few men) applied for the

^ job. He looked through their applications and discussed them with

his assistant, Mr Samuel, when he came back from his time off

that afternoon. There were some good candidates, some not so

good. One girl wrote that she had been trained as a cook but she

didn't like working in hot kitchens. One man wanted to work as a

salesman but thought that working as a secretary was the best way

to start. One was a college student who wanted to earn some money

to support herself in the university vacation. She only wanted to

. work part-time. But eventually Mr Kay made the appointment.

Dialogue A

Mr Kay: Twenty applicants—that's not bad for one advert.

I've made a shortlist of five, so we'd better call

them for interview. Mr Samuel: Will next Monday do? Mr Kay: Monday, all right. I'll see this one first, Janita

Ling. She seems to be the best qualified. Mr Samuel: Is she the graduate in business studies? Mr Kay: Yes, and I hope she's good at typing as well.

Dialogue В

Mr Kay: Now, Miss Ling, about your qualifications. I see

that you have fluent French as well as English and that you were working with your last com­pany for four years. Tell me, why did you leave?

Candidate (A): Actually, I didn't leave. The company closed down.

Mr Kay: Closed down?

Candidate (A): Yes, it went bankrupt. So I was out of job. Mr Kay: 1 see. And have you been doing anything since?

Candidate (A): I had a couple of temporary jobs, and now I really need something permanent.

Dialogue С

Mr Kay: So tell me, why are you applying to work in my

company? Candidate (B): Well, I was trained in book-keeping and office

practice and I'd like to use my secretarial skills. Mr Kay: I see. And apart from typing what experience

do you have with office machinery? Candidate (B): I know how to use the telex machine and the

photocopier. Mr Kay: All right. Well, I'll think it over and we'll get in

touch with you in a day or two. Thank you for

coming.

Dialogue D

\

Mr Kay: Now let me tell you a few things about the job. You know the salary already. We pay a bonus twice a year and we give three weeks' holiday a year. Office hours are nine to five thirty and we work a five-day week. Do you have any ques­tions?

Candidate (C): Er, yes. Well, I insist on a doctor's certificate if staff are away for longer than a couple of days.

Dialogue E

Mr Kay: Miss Ling is still my first choice, so could you give her a ring and I'll offer her the job. If she ac­cepts I'll write to the others straight away so as not to keep them waiting.

Mr Samuel: Are you going to take up her references?

Mr Kay: No, there's no need to do that. I'm pretty sure we can trust her. If she accepts I'll write her a letter of appointment.

A. Questions

1. What post did Mr Kay advertise and why? 2. Was Mr Kay pleased with the number of applicants? 3. How many applicants was Mr Kay going to interview? 4. Does Miss Ling have a degree? 5. Why was she out of work? 6. What particular skills was Mr Kay looking for in his applicants? 7. How many hours a week does Mr Kay's office work? 8. Was Mr Kay offering a full-time or apart-time job?

B. Ask and answer questions about a) the vacancy in Mr Kay s office b) the candidates who applied for the job c) the interview

C. Retell the text and roleplay the conversations.

D. Special Difficulties

I. Translate the following sentences.

1. This sort of work won't do for him. 2. He will do for us. 3. This hat will do. 4. Will these brown shoes do? 5. This room will do for an office. 6. Can I have a bottle of red wine? — Will port do? 7. When shall we meet? — Will Friday do?

II. Answer the questions as in the example.

eg — What does your father do?

— He works as an engineer at one of the city plants.

1. What does your husband do? 2. What is your brother's job? 3. What does your sister do? 4. What do you do? 5. What does Henry do? 6. What does your mother do? 7. What is your friend's job?

III. Make up sentences. Do it as in the example. eg Travelling is the best way to make friends.

IV. Respond giving reasons.

eg — Shall we send a telegram?

— No, mere's no need to do that. She knows about our arri­val.

1. Shall I buy some meat? 2. Shall I help her? 3. Shall I phone him? 4. Shall we tell her? 5. Shall we take a taxi? 6. Shall I write to her? 7. Shall we have to start early?

V. Complete the sentences using had better and the verbs in the box.

eg The phone is ringing. I'd better answer it.

park stay hurry answer put out be not leave

1. This knife is very sharp. You... careful when you use it. 2. Oh, no! Look! There's a "No Parking" sign here. We... somewhere else. 3. You're not very well. I think you... in bed today. 4. We're late. We.... 5. There's a lot of crime in this area. We... any doors or windows unlocked. 6. The plane is just going to take off. You... that cigarette.

People and their Jobs

1. Lucy works in a travel agency. Her salary is very low. She only gets three weeks' holiday a year and she works long hours. But Lucy doesn't mind, because she enjoys her work. She has a nice boss and she meets a lot of people during the day. Her work is interesting and varied. Also, every year her company gives her a free two-week holiday in Europe.

A. Imagine you meet Lucy. Ask her questions about her job.

B. Think of other jobs with good "perks ".

C. What are good working conditions?

2. Paul works on a car assembly line in a factory. He is a skilled worker and he does a lot of overtime; so at the end of each week he takes home quite a good wage. However, he doesn't enjoy his work. He finds it boring and monotonous. He gets four weeks' holiday a year, but because there are several public holidays and sometimes strikes in the factory, he doesn't usually work 48 weeks a year.

A. Imagine you meet Paul. Ask him questions about his job.

B. Would you like to work in a factory? Why? Why not? Are there a lot of strikes in your country?

3. Tom is unemployed. He is a university graduate and he has a degree in sociology. However, Tom cannot find a good job. Each

week he receives some money from the government called "Social Security". With this money he pays the rent and buys his food, but at the end of the week he is always "broke".

A. Imagine you meet Tom. Ask him questions about his life.

B. Does your government give money to the unemployed? Are there many unemployed graduates in your country?

4. Mr Charles is a successful businessman. He is a company director. He earns a lot of money, and he also pays a lot of income tax. He is 64 and next year he is going to retire. He will get a good pension from his company and also an old age pension from the state. He is looking forward to his retirement. He wants to read a lot and go fishing.

A. Ask Mr Charles some questions.

B. What is the usual retirement age in your country? Can you talk about pension schemes in your country?

5. Henry: I'm a pop star. I earn about £60,000 a year. Being a pop star means all sorts of things. It means I don't have to worry about money any more. It means I can do what I want to do. For example, I hate having to get up early. I can't stand working in offices or in factories. I can't bear having to work at fixed hours. That's why I enjoy being a pop star. I like playing in front of large audiences. I even like all those young girls screaming and trying to tear my clothes off.

A. Imagine you meet Henry. Ask him questions about his job.

B. Would you like to be a pop star? Do you think it is an interesting job?

6. Alice: I'm a nurse and I don't earn very much money at all. In fact, I have a lot of difficulty in just making ends meet, as we say. But I like being a nurse. I suppose it's because I enjoy helping people. Being a nurse is hard work. It means working all sorts of hours. And it isn't very pleasant sometimes. There are all sorts of things I don't enjoy. For example, I don't enjoy seeing people in pain. Working ten hours a day and more in a hospital isn't much fun, but at least you know you're doing something worthwhile. A. Imagine you meet Alice. Ask her questions about her job.

B. Tell your classmates about your job. Say what you like and what you don't like about your job.

C. Tell about your friend's (mother's, father's, etc.) job. Say whether she/he likes it or not. Say why.

7. John: The job that I have recently started is as a sales rep­resentative with a company that produces garden furniture. The company, called "Sunnosit", is based in Thornton, a small town in the Midlands. The area manager, who has been with the company for over thirty years, is due to retire next year, which means I might get his job if I do well. One great advantage is having a company car, which I have to have, because the job involves visiting different parts of the country. My colleagues, who I get on well with, are quite ambitious, which means the atmosphere at work is rather competitive. I don't mind. Apart from that, the job is fine.

A. Imagine you are John. Ask him questions about his job.

B. Are you ambitious? What are your colleagues like? Do you like your boss? What is he/she like? Is your work challenging?

Getting a 'Job

In Britain there is a special service for school leavers, the Careers Advisory Service, which helps young people who are looking for their first jobs. Careers Officers give practical advice on interview techniques, application forms, letters, pay, National Insurance and Trade Unions. This is an extract from a leaflet which is given to young people by Dorset Careers Service.

The interview

You've got an interview for a job — good! So now for the hard work. To do well at an interview you need to put щ some thought first.

The employer wants to know if you are the person he wants, so you'll be asked about yourself. Think about it now:

What do I do well? What are my good points?

School activities? School subjects?

Why would I like this job? Spare-time interests? What is my family like? What do I like doing and why? What do I not like doing and why?

You will want to ask questions too.

The job itself? Training? Prospects? Further Education? Conditions?

Previous work? Saturday job?

Can I see where I would be working? Hours? £££?

Write your questions down and take them with you. Before the interview

1. Find out what you can about the firm.

2. Find out the interviewer's name and telephone number.

3. Find out where the interview is.

4. Find out how long it will take to get there.

5. Make sure you know what the job involves.

6. Dress to look clean and tidy.

At the Interview

1. Do arrive early. Phone if you're held up.

2. Do try to smile.

3. Do show interest in the job and ask questions.

4. Do be polite.

5. Don't panic, even if faced by more than one person.

6. Don't slouch around and look bored.

7. Don't smoke or chew.

8. Don't give one word answers or say you don't care what you do.

Look at these job advertisements.

Trainee computer programmer

Good opportunity for a start in computers. Ability at maths is essential. Application forms to: Personnel Department, Continental Computers, Honeywell Rd., Bournemouth.

Fernside Engineering

Require a junior clerk for the accounts department. Apply in writing to: The Personnel Officer, Fernside Engineering, Western Rd., Poole.

Shop assistant

A vacancy for a smart, lively young person.

Good prospects. Please write to:

Mrs J. Frost, "Cool Boutique", 39 High St., Dorchester

Applying by letter

1. Remember that first impressions are important.

2. Write clearly and neatly on good notepaper, unlined if possible.

3. Check for spelling mistakes. Use a dictionary if you are not sure of a word.

4. Describe yourself, your qualifications and your experi­ence clearly.

5. If the advertisement asks you to write for an application form you will not need to give detailed information in your letter.

6. Address the letter and the envelope clearly.

44 Deepdale Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH92 7JX 4th April, 1982

The Personnel Department, Continental Computers, Honeywell Road, Bournemouth

Dear Sir or Madam,

I read your advertisement in yesterday's "Evening Echo". I am interested in training as a computer programmer. Could you please send me an application form, and any further details. Yours faithfully, Joanne Evans

A. Questions

1. Have you ever had an interview for a job? 2. Is there a Careers Advisory Service in your country/school? 3. How do people find jobs? 4. How would you find a job?/How did you find your first job? 5. Where can you find job advertisements?

B. Ask students to re-read the "Before the interview" section. Ask questions.

1. What would you want to find out about the firm? (Discuss in pairs, make up a list and report back—size, location, business, etc.)

2. What would you wear? Would you wear jeans?/a suit?/ a tie?/ a dress?

C. "At the interview. " Askstudens to re-read this section. Do you agree with the advice? Why?/Why not?

D. "The interview. " Ask individuals questions. (Ask him/her/me/each other.),

1. What are your spare-time interests? 2. What's your family like? 3. Have you got any brothers or sisters? How many? How old are they? What do they do? Do they like their jobs? 4. What do you like doing? Why? 5. What don't you like doing? Why? 6. What subjects have you studied at school? Did you study...? Uo/Did you enjoy studying history/ geography/mathematics/etc.? Do/Did you enjoy learning English/French/etc.? 7. What do you do well? What do you do badly? 8. What are your good points? (I'm friendly, honest, sensible, practical, etc.) 9. What school activities do/did you do? (sports, clubs, etc.) 10. Have you worked before? 11. Have you done a part-time job? (in the English leaflet it is a "Saturday job".)

E. Focus attention on the rest of "The interview" (the questions to ask). Ask students to suggest questions using the prompts (a) in pairs (b) to the class. Draw up a list of possible questions, and ask a few individuals.

1. What does the job involve? 2. What are the working hours? 3. What are the holidays? 4. Is there a restaurant? 5. Is there any training? What is it? 6. Will I get any qualifications? 7. Can I see where I would be working? 8. What's the salary? 9. What are the prospects for promotion? 10. Is there a pension?

F. Focus attention on the job advertisements. Ask:

1. Which would you apply for? 2. Why would you like this job?

G. Pair work. Students role-play an interview, using the leaflet and the job advertisement (select one job for each pair).

H. Focus attention on "Applying by letter". Do you agree with the advice? Why/Why not?