Unit 14: English for Job seeking

Aims and Objectives

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

You will practise the following skills and functions:

• talking about ability
• talking about availability

The grammar focus of this unit is:

• Past Conditional

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

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

1. neto [?]
2. plantilla [?]
3. tiempo completo [?]
4. salario [?]
5. trayectoria profesional [?]
6. entrevista [?]
7. tiempo parcial [?]
8. contrato [?]
9. plan de pensiones [?]
10. títulos académicos [?]
11. persona en formación [?]
12. aptitudes [?]
13. rechazar [?]
14. referencia personal [?]
15. bruto [?]
16. trasladar(se) [?]
17. candidato [?]
18. encajar con [?]
19. perfil [?]
20. historial/formación previa [?]
21. impuesto [?]
22. aceptar [?]
23. habilidades [?]
24. educación [?]
25. empleo [?]
26. aplicación [?]
27. desempleado [?]
28. curriculum [?]
29. presentar una solicitud [?]
30. anuncio [?]
31. experiencia [?]
32. horas extras [?]
33. ofrecer [?]
34. acomodarse [?]
35. carta de presentación [?]
36. empleado [?]
37. autónomo [?]
38. determinar [?]
39. seguridad social [?]
40. progresar [?]
41. convencer [?]
42. tareas [?]
43. mentir [?]
44. empleador [?]
45. ser pillado [?]
46. persona que da una referencia personal [?]
47. encajar [?]
48. actitud [?]

Section 2: Listening Comprehension

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. 
   

   [?]

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. 
   

   [?]

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. 
   

   [?]

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

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.

    
    
    

    [?]

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

Press Play to listen to the instructions:

Section 4: Grammar Practice

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. He didn't study, so he didn't pass the exam.
   B. [?]
2. A. I didn't go to the interview so I didn't get the job.
   B. [?]
3. A. The salary wasn't good enough, so I didn't accept the job.
   B. [?]
4. A. He didn't get the job so he didn't have to relocate.
   B. [?]
5. A. I didn't see the advertisement so I didn't apply.
   B. [?]
6. A. She didn't speak English so she didn't get the job.
   B. [?]

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. He didn't pass the exam because he didn't study.
   B. [?]
2. A. I didn't get the job because I didn't go to the interview.
   B. [?]
3. A. I didn't accept the job because the salary wasn't good enough.
   B. [?]
4. A. He didn't have to relocate because he didn't get the job.
   B. [?]
5. A. I didn't apply because I didn't see the advertisement.
   B. [?]
6. A. She didn't get the job because she didn't speak English.
   B. [?]

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. He found a job, so he didn't go to Canada.
   B. [?]
2. A. She forgot about the interview so she didn't go.
   B. [?]
3. A. I started work so I didn't go to university.
   B. [?]
4. A. I got up early, so I wasn't late for the interview.
   B. [?]
5. A. Freddy asked for more money, so they didn't offer him the job.
   B. [?]
6. A. Tommy was in bed so he didn't hear the telephone.
   B. [?]

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. He didn't go to Canada because he found a job.
   B. [?]
2. A. She didn't go to the interview because she forgot about it.
   B. [?]
3. A. I didn't go to university because I started work.
   B. [?]
4. A. I wasn't late for the interview because I got up early.
   B. [?]
5. A. They didn't offer Freddy the job because he asked for more money.
   B. [?]
6. A. Tommy didn't hear the telephone because he was in bed.
   B. [?]

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. I got up late so I was late for the interview.
   B. [?]
2. A. I saw the advertisement so I applied.
   B. [?]
3. A. She studied hard and passed her exams.
   B. [?]
4. A. Peter was the best applicant so they offered him the job.
   B. [?]
5. A. Veronica spoke German so they sent her to Berlin.
   B. [?]
6. A. I did an English course and found an interesting job.
   B. [?]

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

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. I was late for the interview because I got up late.
   B. [?]
2. A. I applied because I saw the advertisement.
   B. [?]
3. A. She passed her exams because she studied hard.
   B. [?]
4. A. They offered Peter the job because he was the best applicant.
   B. [?]
5. A. They sent Veronica to Berlin because she spoke German.
   B. [?]
6. A. I found an interesting job because I did an English course.
   B. [?]

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. 
   

   [?]
5. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
6. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
7. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
8. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
9. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
10. a. 
    b. 
    

    [?]

Section 5: Consolidation

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.

    
    
    

    [?]

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

[?]

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.

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:

• talk about ability
• talk about availability

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

• Past Conditional