Reading between the lines

Read the extracts in 3 again. There are certain formal phrases people use in letters of application to talk about their

qualities and achievements. Underline phrases which mean the following:

a) I'd really like to work for you because you're such a great company.

b) If you think doing things well is important, I'd like to work for you.

c) I don't really have the profile of the ideal candidate.

d) I've worked with many different, important companies.

e) I've shown I can work all kinds of people and get on with everyone.

WHAT ABOUT THE WORKERS?

1. What is happening in the photographs on this page? How do you think these situations relate to employment and staffing?

2. Work with a partner. You will each read an article to the employment situation in a country and do three exercises. When you have finished, turn back to this page. Student A see page . Student B see page.

3. Complete the sentences with words and phrases from the articles in 2. Are the sentences true for you? Discuss them with your partner.

a) An advanced society should pay to people who can't find _________ work.

b) The average age of my country's ______ is getting younger.

c) Flexible labour laws help to reduce the _________ .

d) Using __________ causes job insecurity and lower productivity.

e) ___________ are more important than the interests of big business.

f) Money and security are the ____________ in most people's work.

g) If the ________ can't find work, they should take any job they are offered.

h) Companies should invest more in training if they need ____________.

i) It is often hard to predict your _________ needs over a long period.

j) A good salary doesn't necessarily _______ for a lack of job security.

4. The noun / verb combinations in the box were in the articles in 2. The verbs were in the passive. Can you

remember the sentences? Tell your partner.

Discuss the following questions in relation to your company.

a) What are the laws about unemployment benefits? Do you think they are fair?

b) What rights do workers have? How do they affect employment?

c) Why do you think there is a shortage of skilled workers? Do you think the use of temporary labour is a good solution to the problem?

d) 'It is increasingly difficult to provide people with jobs for life.' Do you think this is true?

Speaker 1

I think that these days you have to really sell yourself. Certainly this is what employers expect in the US. You should show them how great and self-confident you are. Modesty isn't going to mind if you exaggerate a bit and dress things up to sound more impressive. Make the potential employer feel that, although this is the job you always wanted and of course you are the ideal person for it. If they don't snap you up, someone else will. So, they had better hire you before they lose the chance.

Speaker 2

It's not often that qualifications and experience totally match up to an advertised post, so it's preferable to emphasize other qualities like your willingness to learn and the fact that you work hard. In fact, you should be careful not to give the impression you are over-qualified for the job. I think that employers are often more interested in things like loyalty and ability to fit in. A highflier who knows too much can create a bad working atmosphere and break a team.

Personally, I want the employer to think that I am going to be easy to work with and won't create too many waves.

Speaker 3

No one likes a 'big head' but, on the other hand, don't be falsely modest either. Basically, your qualifications and experience tell their own story so you're not going to impress anyone by adding a lot of adjectives like 'excellent' and 'outstanding' to your CV. Usually this will make an experienced recruitment officer suspicious. It doesn't hurt to acknowledge one or two weaknesses either – areas that you would like to improve and you want a chance to develop.

Above all, be honest, because if you exaggerate or lie, in the end someone is going to catch you out, and you'll end up looking stupid.

Speaker 4

People's motivations interest employers. If you want to work for a specific company, tell them why, especially if you are changing jobs. Valid reasons would be that you are frustrated by the limitations of your present post, or that you can't fulfill the potential of your background and education. Don't whine, though, and don't blame your current employers: you've learnt a lot with them, but it's time to move on.

Tell potential employers that you have a lot of offer, and all you need is an opportunity to show it. If someone gives you a break, they won't be disappointed.

Exercise 2

The Human Resources Manager of a large company is explaining the appraisal system to a group of new employees.

Complete his talk by putting the verbs in brackets into the right tense. Choose between the present simple (/ do), future continuous (/'// be doing), future perfect (/'// have done) and was going to.

Your appraisal interviews (1) _____________ (be) in March. Er, I'm sorry, they (2) _____________ (be) in February

but we had to postpone them. Sorry about that. Um, during February your line managers (3) _____________ (collect)

all the information they need from you, and by the time you meet for the interview, they (4) _____________ (produce)

a checklist of points for discussion. Right. Um, in the interview you (5) _____________ (discuss) your performance

during the past year and any issues relating to your future needs, er, such as training. By the end of the meeting I

hope that you and your line managers (6) _____________ (agree) on your personal objectives for next year, both in

terms of sales targets and professional development. Is that clear? Yep, OK, good. Of course there is some flexibility in

the targets, in case anything (7) _____________ (happen) to the market that we cannot predict. We may also have a

budget for you to do some training, after you (8) _____________ (come) back from your summer holidays but before

work (9) _____________ (get) really busy in September. Is that OK? Yeah. Good.

After that, the next time that we all (10) _____________ (meet) again will be in October, when I'd like some feedback

on your training, as by then any courses that you do (11) _____________ (finish). Is that OK? Yeah. I (12)

_____________ (send) you feed back forms nearer the time. Well, er, unless you (13) _____________ (have) any questions,

I think that's all. Oh, no. Er, yes – I (14) _____________ (have) a word with you about your holiday plans, but

you probably don't know them yet. Could you email me with your request as soon as you know them.

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1395