Reading and Vocabulary

1. Read the job description through quickly. Decide if these statements about the job are true or false:

1) you don’t need to have any special qualifications to work as an HR-manager;

2) an HR-manager is concerned with.

THE POSITION OF AN HR MANAGER

All large companies – and many small ones – have a human resources department. HR managers can perform a variety of tasks in fulfilling their main responsibility.

General responsibilities of an HR manager are to see that employees are paid, to set up benefit programs, such as health care, retirement, vacation policies, and so on, to coordinate company celebrations and parties and to assist top management with organizational development.

Typically, HR managers can use recruitment and interviewing skills to identify staff vacancies and select candidates for open positions. They are responsible for collecting and analyzing all applications and resumes. An HR-manager develops a process for attracting good employees through such methods as advertising, use of headhunters, temporary placement agencies, job fairs and websites.

Expert HR managers are typically skilled in promoting healthy relationships between staff and management through mediation and handling labor disputes.

Depending on the size and industry of the organization, HR managers may conduct employee training and orientation, administer a benefit program, analyze compensation and other competitive data and prepare budgets.

HR managers are often valued for their role in mitigating risk by keeping organizations compliant with federal, state and local labor laws and regulations. The main legal responsibility of an HR-manager is to advise management on legal issues related to such things as hiring, firing, layoffs, bonus plans and harassment.

The typical entry path for HR management positions requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may show preference to candidates with a combination of business knowledge and HR experience.

The human resources field can be fast-paced, challenging and rewarding. Generally, HR managers have attributes such as outstanding speaking and writing skills, the ability to work under pressure and leadership qualities such as strong work ethic, trustworthiness, self-confidence and the ability to delegate responsibilities.

Professionals who are seeking a career as an HR management professional should also demonstrate good judgment, creativity and a positive attitude.

2. Find and translate words in italics in the text. Use these words in the sentences of your own.

3. Answer the questions:

1) What are general responsibilities of an HR-manager?

2) What are usually HR-managers valued for?

3) What important qualities should a person have to work as an HR-manager?

4) What qualification is necessary to work as an HR-manager?

5) What do you need to do to get a job in a human resources department?

4. Fill in the gaps using the words in italics:

1) Mr. Sinatra, however, appears whatever age he wishes to be, ___________ his mood.

2) The workers often live in overcrowded dormitories and work in dangerous conditions under constant threat of ___________.

3) He earned his _______________ in computer science at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

4) She is only 23 but she is already in charge of 30 ___________.

5) Businesses have to spend much money on ________________ to attract clients.

6) The Secretary shall be _____________ the preparation of minutes and a summary record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board.

7) The selection and ____________ of interns is delegated to the respective chief of a human resources department.

5. Translate into English:

1) Многие работодатели отдают предпочтение кандидатам мужского пола.

2) Его самоуверенность иногда раздражает меня.

3) За какие качества ценится хороший менеджер?

4) Я не имею ни малейшего понятия, чем я буду заниматься после выхода на пенсию.

5) Привлечение талантливых сотрудников – важная задача отдела кадров.

6) После четырех лет обучения в Академии я получу степень бакалавра и смогу найти работу в сфере управления человеческими ресурсами.

6. Give a 2–2,5 minute talk on the position of an HR manager

Remember to say:

1) age, education, experience;

2) main responsibilities;

3) important professional and technical skills.

PART 2

SPEAKING

1. Read the dialogue between Anton and Sandra, HR-managers of the IT-company. They are discussing candidates for the jobs. Fill in the gaps with the most suitable phrases:

1) good at working on his own;

2) of experience in book editing;

3) any experience in editing;

4) qualification in it;

5) at editing websites.

Anton	Ok. So, we have a student for the summer job. Let’s discuss the web editor position next. Who do we have?
Sandra	There were lots of emails for this one, but there are only two people really. First of all, there`s Monica. I spoke to her on the phone and she is very friendly. At the moment she works in publishing.
Anton	Is she an editor?
Sandra	Yes. She has a lot (1) _____________, but she says she`s good at (2) _________ because she does some in her free time for friends and small businesses.
Anton	Ok. That sounds like a possibility. What about the other person?
Sandra	Here`s his picture. Do you recognize him?
Anton	Yes, who is he?
Sandra	It`s Roberto. He was the student on our summer placement last year.
Anton	That`s right. Roberto! I remember him. Very energetic! Really nice young man.
Sandra	Exactly. Anyway, now he has a (3) _______________.
Anton	But why is he applying for the web editor job? He doesn`t have (4) ___________ and he isn’t very (5) ____________.
Sandra	I know, but he liked it here so much last summer he wants a job. I think he`s perfect for the position of web production assistant.
Anton	Exactly. Let`s offer him that and then invite Monica for an interview. I`d like to see the websites she worked on as well.
Sandra	Sure. I`ll send you the links.

2. Make notes about Monica and Roberto in the table.

	Monica	Roberto
Personal qualities
Current situation
Skills and experience
Qualifications

3. Write sentences about yourself using the following expressions:

- Have a lot of experience in…/ don’t have any experience in…

- Good at…/not very good at…

- Have a qualification in…

4. Work in pairs. Interview each other using the phrases from 3.

Example What qualification do you have/ would you like to get/ are you getting?

Introduce your partner to the whole class.

PART 3

WRITING

RESPONDING TO AN ENQUIRY

1. Look at this response to a letter of enquiry:

1) How well do Tony and Claude know each other? How do you know?

2) What information does the letter not include?

a Information about availability of the product.

b Prices and delivery details.

c Details of a special offer.

d Details of a promotional event.

e A general description of the product.

6 February

Re: Enquiry about the new operating system.

Dear Mr Fuchs

Thank you for your letter dated 29.01 asking about our new operating systems. As you know from our previous communications, the new system will be launched in May this year.

The purpose of the system is to make day-to-day use quicker and more intuitive. In other words, we want the user to be able to find everything at their fingertips. The new system is significantly different from the one that is currently in use.

As you point out, one downside is the need for initial training. The good news is that as part of an introductory offer, all purchasers of the new operating system will be offered a free on-site training day with one of our developers.

You might be interested to know that there will be a preview of the system at an open day at our offices in April.

Please find enclosed the latest information leaflets as you requested and an invitation to the open day mentioned above. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Claude Fischer

Sales and Marketing Manager

2. From the information contained in the reply, what do you think the original letter of enquiry said? Do you think this is a positive response? Why / Why not?

3. Match these words and expressions from the text with a definition 1–5.

intuitive at their fingertips significantly downsides hesitate

1) Ready and easy to use: …

2) The disadvantages or negative aspects:

3) To pause before you do something:

4) Ability to know something by using feelings not facts:

5) In a way that is large enough to be important:

4. What is the purpose of each of the five paragraphs in the letter?

5. Underline words or phrases in the letter that help the writer to do these things:

1) Welcome the enquiry.

2) Acknowledge points in the original enquiry.

3) Try to avoid using the first person: I or me.

4) Refer to something that has already been talked about.

5) Introduce solutions.

6) Introduce a special offer / invitation.

7) Mention enclosures / attachments.

8) Invite further contact.

6. Read the short letter of enquiry below and highlight the areas that you would need to address when you are replying to it.

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to you because I would like to explore opportunities at your company in marketing and public relations.

My current position is a marketing manager for ZYC Corporation, where I provide overall marketing support. I have strong knowledge and understanding of marketing, research and development of sales materials. I am an energetic, experienced professional and want to work with your talented and passionate team.

I would like to visit your organization and have the opportunity to meet you. I will provide additional references or other information upon request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Yours

Candace Park

7. You are an HR-manager of the company that Candace Park is writing to. Reply to the letter above. Make sure you answer the questions and give reasons.

CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

OF VOCABULARY

1) a bachelor’s degree;

2) advertising;

3) an attachment;

4) an enquiry;

5) attract good employees;

6) be good at smth.;

7) be typically skilled in promoting;

8) be valued for;

9) benefit programs;

10) challenging;