Unit 14: English for Job seeking

Index:

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to job seeking.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

The grammar focus of this unit is:

Vocabulary

aptitudes
anuncio
candidato
aplicación
actitud
historial/formación previa
candidato
trayectoria profesional
contrato
carta de presentación
curriculum
educación
empleado
empleador
empleo
experiencia
tiempo completo
bruto
entrevista
empleo
neto
horas extras
tiempo parcial
plan de pensiones
perfil
títulos académicos
persona que da una referencia personal
referencia personal
salario
autónomo
habilidades
seguridad social
plantilla
tareas
impuesto
aceptar
acomodarse
presentar una solicitud
convencer
determinar
encajar
ser pillado
progresar
mentir
encajar con
ofrecer
rechazar
trasladar(se)
persona en formación
desempleado

Exercises

Section 1: Vocabulary Practice

Exercise 1: Test Yourself

Exercise Help

Fill in the correct translation for each of the terms below.

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Section 2: Listening Comprehension

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. How did Freddy get on at the interview?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Did Freddy like the job?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. How long would he have had for lunch?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Would he have travelled?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Did the company offer him the job?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Where is Peter going next week?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Where did he see the advertisement?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Which is correct?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. How many interviews did he have?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. How much will he earn in his new job?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What is a CV?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. What sort of paper would you use for your CV?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Why is it a good idea to find out as much as possible about the job?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Why is it important to explain any gaps in your career?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. What is a reference for?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What must you do to prepare for an interview?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. How should you prepare for the interview?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. What must you convince the interviewer of?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. How should you present yourself?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Why should you leave home in plenty of time?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Section 3: General Comprehension

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

Exercise Help

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. To relocate is to move to another part of the country.


    ?
  2. When you put in extra hours you always get paid overtime.


    ?
  3. A CV is not a job application.


    ?
  4. In a CV you never print on both sides of the paper.


    ?
  5. It is important to make sure your skills fit the job description.


    ?
  6. You don't need to tell referees you are using them for a reference.


    ?
  7. A covering letter can be two pages long.


    ?
  8. In the interview you must be positive about yourself and your abilities.


    ?
  9. To do the job you may need assistive technology.


    ?
  10. You can lie and exaggerate in an interview.


    ?

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Exercise Help

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press Play to listen to the instructions:

Section 4: Grammar Practice

Exercise 1: Transformation

Exercise Help

In this exercise, use `HAD' first and then `WOULD HAVE'.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

He didn't study, so he didn't pass the exam.
If he had studied, he would have passed the exam.

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    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 2: Transformation

Exercise Help

In this exercise, use "WOULD HAVE" first and then "HAD".

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

He didn't pass the exam because he didn't study.
He would have passed the exam if he had studied.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 3: Transformation

Exercise Help

In this exercise, use "HADN'T" first and then "WOULD HAVE".

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

He found a job, so he didn't go to Canada.
If he hadn't found a job, he would have gone to Canada.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
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    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 4: Transformation

Exercise Help

In this exercise, use "WOULD HAVE" first and then "HADN'T".

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

He didn't go to Canada because he found a job.
He would have gone to Canada if he hadn't found a job.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 5: Transformation

Exercise Help

Use "HADN'T" first and then "WOULDN'T HAVE".

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

I got up late so I was late for the interview.
If I hadn't got up late I wouldn't have been late for the interview.

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    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 6: Transformation

Exercise Help

In this exercise, use "WOULDN'T HAVE" first and then "HADN'T".

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

I was late for the interview because I got up late.
I wouldn't have been late for the interview if I hadn't got up late.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 7: Selections

Exercise Help

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    ?
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    b. 
    ?
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    b. 
    ?
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    b. 
    ?
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    b. 
    ?
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    b. 
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    b. 
    ?

Section 5: Consolidation

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

Exercise Help

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording: show transcript
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Job hunting is a part time job.


    ?
  2. It is easier to get a job in a smaller company than a big one.


    ?
  3. It isn't important to know as much as possible about the company.


    ?
  4. Your 'old' occupation is more important than your skills.


    ?
  5. When seeking a job concentrate on one type of organisation.


    ?
  6. It is not a good idea only to apply to your first choice.


    ?
  7. Don't worry about not getting the job.


    ?
  8. Be clean and smart.


    ?
  9. Friends and family should not help you look for a job.


    ?
  10. If at first you don't succeed, give up.


    ?

Exercise 2: Dictation

Exercise Help

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the > key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording: show transcript
?

Exercise 3: Cloze

Exercise Help

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:

Job hunting is a ? job. Preferably 35 - 40 hours ? week. Chances of ? a job are better with smaller companies ? with large ones. Identify your ? in great detail, and in order of importance. Find out ? you can about the organisation and show interest. Sell your skills, ? your 'old' occupation or qualifications. Determine ? you will be better at the job than other candidates. Discover alternative jobs ? you can use the same skill.

Exercise 4: Gap Filling

Exercise Help

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. How did you get ____ at the interview?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. It was OK in ____ ways.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. I would have been away from home ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. They would have ____ me to put in extra hours.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. A good curriculum vitae is your first ____ to a job interview.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. Your CV must be ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  7. Be positive when you speak about ____ work experience and skills.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  8. ____ your skills to the job profile.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  9. You may ____ caught out in the interview.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  10. You have the motivation ____ the job well.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  11. You must feel ____ during the interview.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  12. You should dress ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  13. Your body language will probably give you ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  14. Identify your skills in order of ____
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  15. Look into all job ____ of interest.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  16. Never ____.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  17. It is not a good idea only to ____ your first choice.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  18. Use all possible methods to ____ appropriate jobs.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  19. You can always ____ a job offer if a better one develops.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  20. There is no need to look ____ a movie star.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

You should also have greater skill and confidence in the use of:

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