Questions on the topic

The Business Intermediate Unit 4. Careers

Active vocabulary

4.1 a career a vocation/ a calling a job description

one’s career development/ one’s career path one’s priorities job satisfaction variety

status a (comfortable) lifestyle life-interest categories “ job sculpting”

choices in business the moves one made work(-ing) life

financial gain material accomplishments (to stay on) a treadmill to generate energy

a succession of projects one’ aptitudes self-exploration self-doubt

to take a longer term view/ high overview level to think things through

to work for to be good at to join a company to stay put to shift

to be responsible for/ to accept responsibilities for to participate in

to attune oneself to smth. to dig into smth. (to have) a high score on

to tap one’s interests to explore one’s options/ passions

to balance things out to pull smb. along to pan out to spark to compromise

(to be) profound (of) (to be) earth-shattering (to be) out in the open

dicey a shallow end a granular action

4.2 luncheon vouchers profit-sharing stock options

different working styles working relationships organizational/negotiating skills

a valuable contribution to a real asset a high-flier a steady performer a concern

an opening an (/a two-year) assignment

(to be) short-listed for to be on sabbatical/ to take a sabbatical

to be committed to do smth to liaise with (government officials)

to manage (the) workload to cope with pressure/ stress to reward achievements

to underperform to pass the problem on to smb./ one’s colleagues

multitasking any way/ no way

to be a good way to save face to be (very) well-connected to get a better deal

4.3 a management trainee a fast track scheme a cog

an undergraduate a science/art graduate – a graduate accountant

an appraisal interview a relevant experience

a recruitment/IQ test an (army) assault course

to work on a project to resign/ to announce one’s resignation

to submit smth. (to smb./by the end of the month/by email)

to fly out to to pay a deposit on

to knock over to hand smth. to smb.

(to pick one’s brains

to start /keep the ball rolling

to jump in the deep end

to get in one’s way)*

4.4 a positive/ negative quality one’s strengths/ weaknesses to get things done

intercultural, people-/ crisis-management skills

to make (a long-term) commitment to develop a rapport (with)

to handle a difficult situation to feel insecure

to stay motivated to resolve a problem to take over responsibility for

to come round to resent

4.5 one’s career objectives personal details qualifications a (final) grade

voluntary roles positions of responsibility general/ additional skills networking solutions

a faculty meeting a chaired conference a visiting speaker a training session

GCSE IS projects (to set up a) LAN wpm

4.6 a gap-year placement accommodation

underprivileged areas people in need mental/physical disabilities

classroom assistant/ support on an individual basis

eco-tourism an organic farm animal sanctuaries a physically demanding work

to take a year off / out to step back from (to help you) to find your feet

to start one’s degree course to move on to the next place to volunteer for (charity work)

tangible (opp. intangible)

Questions on the topic

1. Describe your ideal lifestyle during your working life. What status indicators are absolutely essential for you? What kind of job can light your fire? How can you note down the difference between vocation, career and job?

2. What are your priorities in building up your career paths? How much important are material accomplishments for you now? What is a typical job search plan? What is understood by “job sculpting”?

3. What are career decisions based on? Do people make a conscious career choice or does it happen by accident? What is the main mistake made by people when choosing a career?

What tips can help to avoid mistakes?

4. What is the main aim of a job interview for an employer and a potential employee? How can an applicant impress the interviewer? What should every candidate remember before going to the job interview? How to prepare for a job interview? What factors are important for getting a job?

5. What are advantages and disadvantages of taking a year off before or after university or in mid-career? How many different ways of spending a gap year can you think of? Are gap years and career breaks common in Russia? Where would you go and what kind of job would you do (if any) if you had an opportunity to take a gap year or sabbatical? Explain your choice and decision.

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 2022