Looking for a job

How you should start hunting for a job.

The best way of doing this is to study the job market either with the help of recruitment (employment) agencies or situations vacant pages in the press. The structure of the vacancy advertisements is usually the same: the name of the vacant position, the list of the candidate’s professional duties, the demands made of the candidate and sometimes the system of compensations and benefits. Be realistic when evaluating the job market for what you have to offer. Consider who and what you are, your strengths, your weaknesses, interests, likes and dislikes. Analyze your real motivations and ambitions.

When you have made your choice and found a position you would like to apply for, you will have to be faced with the time-consuming task of writing your letter of application and curriculum vitae (resume).

Many firms use job application forms or are so informal as to invite applicants to telephone to arrange an interview. But for many jobs, and especially more senior ones, you have to compose a letter, there are in fact two choices: a letter containing all the information; or a shorter covering letter together with a curriculum vitae containing information set out on a separate sheet.

The second choice is preferable. It looks more businesslike and the tabulation makes the information easier for the reader.

The shorter covering letter is easier to compose effectively when it is not cluttered with miscellaneous detail about your qualifications, etc.

The plan for the covering letter might be:

1. reference to the advertisement and statement of application;

2. reference to the enclosed curriculum vitae;

3. amplification of details of curriculum vitae;

4. complimentary close.

Your letter must sound like you, it must convey something of your own personality. However, if you are a very unassuming person, you will need to make the effort to sound a little more forceful than usual. After all you do have to speak for yourself on this occasion!

Remember that the aim of this letter is to ensure that your name goes on to the shortlist and takes you to the next stage, the interview. To do this you need to study the advertisement very carefully indeed, decide what sort of person with what qualifications, is being sought, and then show that you are that person. If you want to be hired you need to show enthusiasm and interest in the company and the position (without being too overwhelming about it). Remember how many other applications your letter may have to compete against and try to ensure that it will stand out and compel attention.

The covering letter should be handwritten. Some large companies, especially in the USA, employ experts (graphologists) to examine applicant’s handwriting.

IV. Complete the following sentences and translate them into Russian:

1. If you want to apply for a job ______________________________________.

2. It’s not enough to evaluate the job market__________________________.

3. The letter you compose should not only contain all the information but__________________________________________________________.

4. Try to show enthusiasm but_______________________________________.

5. If you letter stands out and compels attention _________________________.

6. A specimen of an applicant’s handwriting may_______________________.

7. Make an effort to sound businesslike ________________________________.

8. You will have to compete against __________________________________.

9. You won’t be invited for an interview unless________________________.

10. If you compose your CV effectively _______________________________.

V. Partial translation.

A.

1. There are several ways of (поиска работы).

2. First you should (изучить рынок вакансий).

3. Then (оценить) your own chances.

4. You should (принять во внимание) your strengths and weaknesses and (продумать) your motivations and ambitions.

5. You have to (составить резюме) and a covering letter.

6. The covering letter must (представлять вас).

7. Companies invite (кандидатов на должность) for an interview.

B.

Harry is a sales person. He saw a job (в колонке вакансий) in one of the national papers. The (подал заявление), his (резюме) and (сопроводительное письмо), explaining why he wanted the job and why he was the right person for it. Harry did not hear anything for six weeks, so he phoned the company. They told him that they had received a lot of (заявление). After looking at (резюме) of (кандидатов), the company (отобрала) 3-4 of them and then (взяли на работу) someone. Harry is still (ищет) a job.


Понравилась статья? Добавь ее в закладку (CTRL+D) и не забудь поделиться с друзьями:  



double arrow
Сейчас читают про: