UNIT 1 – JOB OPPORTUNITIES

1. Look at the frame . In what way is it funny and in what way is it not?

JOB
OPPORTUNITIES

2. Now, look at the ads and identify the following information in them:

POSITION REQUIRED:
SKILLS:
PERSONALITY TRAITS REQUIRED:

9
 Practice
3. Complete the following profiles of different applicants for the jobs. Decide on which
job they are applying for (………).

a. I am interested in the position of 1…………………….. I have prior 2___________

experience so I think I’m perfect for the job. I am 3____________ dealing with
people because I am a 4____________ and 5____________ person. I prefer working
environments which favour 6_____________________ because I’m a team player.
b. I graduated in Engineering 10 years ago but I continued studying abroad and I am
specialized in Energy resources. I 7____________ designing new ways of optimizing
energy and I also 8____________ to adapt old systems to new ways. I was the
manager of my office in my last job as I am 9 ____________ and 10____________.
For all this, I think I can apply for the position of 11……………………….
c. I was Human Resources Manager at an insurance agency in my country for 5 years
but now I am looking for opportunities to test my qualifications in a more
demanding firm. I am 12 ____________ so I have experience with different
computing programs. Anyway, I am a 13____________ and I find it easy
14
____________to any I haven’t used yet. In my opinion, I will make a good
15
…………………………………

HOW TO DESCRIBE A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

10
 PERSONALITY TRAITS SKILLS OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES adapt education
ambitious helpful disorganized coordinate/direct/manage experience
careful honest impulsive deal with people/numbers/problems other activities
committed humble bossy design/develop new products
cooperative loyal reserved identify goals
creative motivating indecisive improve an idea
dependable open-minded stubborn meet deadlines
determined polite organize work
efficient practical perform varied tasks
empathetic punctual provide links with clients/co workers
enthusiastic reliable solve problems
even-tempered respectful speak languages
fast-learnnig responsible Take/make decisions
focused self-confident use programs, codes, etc
friendly sociable work/play in teams
HOW DO WE EXPRESS THEM ?
PERSON + (BE) + …………… PERSON + (BE) + A LITTLE + ……… PERSON + CAN + ………….. PERSON + (HAVE) + EXPERIENCE in….

PERSON + (BE) + A(n) + ……… + NOUN

PERSON + MAY BE + ……… PERSON + (BE) + GOOD AT + NOUN PERSON + ( BE) + A GRADUATE + FROM
PERSON+ (BE) + NOT + …. + ENOUGH + TO PERSON + (BE) + GOOD AT + …….ING PERSON + GRADUATED + FROM …
PERSON+(FIND)+IT+DIFFICULT+TO VERB
is EASY PERSON + (HAVE) + A DEGREE IN ….
must be PERSON + (LIKE) + Verb ING
should be

11
 HOW TO DESCRIBE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
WHAT THEY DO
Describe the main activity of
the company
Is it temporary or does it
offer stability?
Is the work: varied or
repetitive?interesting or
boring? stressful?
Does the job need skilled or
unskilled employees? Does it pay good salaries?
THE COMPANY
How flexible is it?
Does it impose a strict
timetable or dresscode or
protocol?
Does it care about its
employees? How?
Is it inclusive?
How does communication
work in it?
Are there good prospects
for promotion?
Is it a growing company or a
developed company?
THE PLACE
Do they work in offices?
Are the offices separated?
Are there any facilities for
the employees…
to have a coffee?
to have meetings?
to socialize?
to relax?
HOW THEY WORK THE WORKMATES THE BOSS
Do they work in teams or Is it necessary to work in Is he/she separated from
groups? teams? the employees?
Do they work for a common Are they in permanent
goal? contact? Is he part of the team?
Do they work for their
personal benefit? Do they socialize? Is he accesible?
Is there any competition Does he only give orders or
between employees? does he accept suggestions?
Are there any benefits for
good work/achievements?
Is the job repetitive or
varied?
Is it interesting or boring?
Is the job stressful?
12
 4. Go back to the advertisements at the beginning:

• What type of work environment do you imagine they are offering?

• What profile must applicants fulfill to get these jobs? Can you think of their
personality traits and skills?

GRAMMAR STOP

Modal Verbs that express obligation: HAVE TO/ MUST /SHOULD

If the advertisement specifies different requirements that the company needs, you use
the verb HAVE (HAS) TO. The modal verb HAVE TO indicates that the obligation is
GENERAL for every applicant.

e.g. Engineers for the energy company have to have experience in the area.

If you want to express that, IN YOUR OPINION, one characteristic is obligatory for a
certain job, you use the modal verb MUST. Must expresses obligation from the
SPEAKER’S POINT OF VIEW.

e.g. Applicants for the energy company must be good at designing

If you want to say that one characteristic is CONVENIENT FOR the job, but not
absolutely obligatory, you use the modal verb SHOULD. Should indicates that it is
advisable but not necessarily mandatory.

e.g. Bank tellers should be friendly because they will deal with people

READING ADVERTISEMENTS

5. Read the following job ads and tick the right column(s) in the chart below.

13
AD 1

AD 2

14
 AD 1 AD 2 NEITHER
Which job…

a) …requires applicants to participate in teams?

b) …is temporary?
c) …requires applicants to have IT skills?
d) …requires a person with leading skills?
e) …seeks an employee with strategic orientation?
f) …requires applicants to have their own car?
g) …requires candidates to have experience in
overseas companies?
h) …offers perks?
i) …requires applicants to use traditional mail?
j) …isn’t suitable for people looking for entry-level
jobs?
k) … sounds gender-neutral?

1. Describe the working environment and the profile of the applicant in each ad. These
are possible answers to help you but you can choose different ones.

AD 1:

The work environment in Ad 1 seems to be ………… (stressful, very competitive, friendly)… There
is ….. (no , little, a great amount of) competition in the job. They work … (in teams,
alone)…but/and they probably have ….(time to socialize, breaks, no contact)…

The applicants have to …. (have experience, be graduates)…. As they work in teams, they must
be …. (tolerant, cooperative) …. and they should be … (good at making decisions, fast learners)…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………

FOR EXTRA PRACTICE, GO TO PAGE 65

15