A1 SEMINAR 9 Professions and Careers Quotes about Work 1 “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius (551-479 BC), Chinese philosopher. 2 “Don't sacrifice* your life to work and ideals. The most important things in life are human relations.” – Katharine Susannah Prichard (1883-1969), Australian author and co-founder of the Communist Party of Australia. 3 “Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.” – David O. McKay (1873-1970), American 20^th century educator. 4 “If you don't want to work, you have to work to earn enough money so that you won't have to work.” – Ogden Nash (1902-1971), American poet. 5 “The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” – Richard Bach (b.1936), 20^th century American author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Discussion Questions 1 How do people look for jobs? 2 How do employers seek* staff? What is a potential employer most interested in knowing? 3 Do you consider some jobs only for men and others for women? Which ones? Why? 4 Why are women discriminated against when seeking employment? 5 Do those in high level management positions deserve their high salaries? What ratio* is acceptable between the lowest paid employee and the highest? 6 Do you prefer working as a team or individually? 7 What is your opinion on mid-life retraining for employees who are made redundant* through company “restructuring”? 8 Have you ever benefited* from career counselling in secondary school or later in your career? 9 What do you think about the shortened work week? 10 More people are working in (multiple) part-time positions. Who benefits from part-time work? Jobs, Skills and Qualities Task 1 – Choose one of these places and make a list of the different jobs that people do there. University Theatre Newspaper What are some of the most important skills and qualities you would need for a particular job? Skills Qualities computer patient / tolerant *punctual / precise typing *diligent / hard-working co-operative driving optimistic *conscientious telephone tactful / polite innovative *interpersonal intelligent strong / fit artistic *caring / thoughtful flexible language calm energetic / enthusiastic mathematical quick-thinking / resourceful responsible managerial honest / reliable imaginative / creative financial well-organised detail-oriented analytical persistent motivated problem solving goal-oriented / determined assertive Can you think of any opposite qualities to those above? Can they be expressed with a positive word? Example: calm x energetic (not nervous – this is too negative) Listening – Coherence and Transition Task 2 – The following paragraphs have been taken from a presentation. Put them into logical order. 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10: 11: A. __________ For instance, in agriculture they worked just under seventy hours at the beginning of the twentieth century, compared to sixty hours in industry. What is interesting is that at the end of the nineteenth century the highest paid workers worked substantially fewer hours than the lowest paid, a situation that was gradually redressed* over most of the twentieth century and has now almost completely been reversed.* B. __________ we’ll be looking at some startling* predictions, some made in the 1930s and others more recently. C. __________ the situation for industry. In 1900, people were working an average sixty-hour week, which fell quite rapidly down to fifty by about 1920. It then went down steadily, but not quite so rapidly, to forty-five hours over the next twenty years. D. __________ Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please? Thank you very much for coming along today. My name’s Nathan Morse and I’m going to be outlining some research we’ve been doing at the University of Arkansas on the working week in twentieth-century America. E. __________ to summarize, the idea that we will have more and more leisure time seems to be in total contradiction* to today’s working hours. In fact, more and more skilled workers and professionals are finding ways to keep themselves at work rather than at home. F. __________ The Second World War meant that industry was working overtime, so there was a sharp rise in the number of working hours during the war years, reaching a peak of about fifty-five hours in 1943, before dropping rapidly back to forty-five in 1947. Between 1947 to 1970 there was a gradual decline toward a forty-hour week. G. __________ I’m going to show you how the general trend has not always been to work less and less. H. __________ let’s look at how many hours people were working last century. Data on the annual average workweek tends to vary* enormously, one reason being that it depends on whether we are talking about agriculture or industry. I. __________ thank you very much for your attention, and if you have any questions perhaps you’d like to ask them over coffee. Thank you. J. __________ If we turn to studies made in the 1930s, it’s interesting to note, as you can see in this slide, that they forecast* that the trend in the shorter working week would continue far beyond forty hours. This has not happened in the US, though in some European countries they were pushing for thirty-five hours at the end of the last century. Instead, in the US the total number of working hours has been going up since 1970 by an average of 163 hours per year. If the present trend continues, the average white collar American will be working over sixty hours per week by the year 2020. K. __________ I’ll be looking at the situation at the beginning of the last century. Task 3 – Listen to the presentation and check your answers. As you listen, add the transition words (e.g. next, secondly, after that) that have been left out of the script. Not all the blanks need to be filled. What would be a suitable title for this presentation? Does it have a coherent structure? Sources consulted: Wallwork, Adrian, International Express Upper-intermediate Student’s Book, Oxford University Press, 2001, p.132, tape script 6.3. 1 Be more specific Curriculum Vitae 2 If you have mentioned your date of birth, your age will Name: Blanka Šmídová be obvious* to the recipient* Address: Svážná 6 Brno A Czech Republic 3 *Reconsider including this fact if you are applying to Telephone: 544 220 515 a very conservative company. You don’t want to be Date of birth: 5/8/75 labelled a “hippie” before you even arrive Age: 27 B Education: 4 Include grades only 1989-1993 Gymnázium Elgartova 3, 600 00 Brno (grammar school*) if they are exceptional* 1993-1998 Masaryk University Brno, Faculty of Arts 5 State when Qualifications: Maturita exam (school-leaving exam) – Czech language: 3(C), English: 3(C), J History: 1(A), Geography: 2(B) Magistr Degree in Museology – 2 6 Be more positive Passable French; some computer literacy C and confident Work experience: 1987-1991 Local paper round every morning D 7 Never use “etc.” 1992 *Voluntary work for a local museum (City of Brno Museum) 1993 Bar work, waitressing, etc. at the Brno International Trade Fair* E 1994 Waitressing at the Lake Café, Jedovnice Sept. 1995- *Casual work with the City of Brno Museum three/four days/week; 8 Trivial* - not very Feb. 1996 (general assistance in the *permanent exhibition areas) professional sounding March 1996 Full-time work with the Moravian Gallery; to… K assistant to the Head *Curator 9 What about the postal code? Activities at school and faculty: 10 So what? President of the school parliament Captain of the school volleyball team F 11 *Irrelevant by now University representative in volleyball L *Deputy in the Faculty Senate 1996-1997 Secretary of the faculty section of Friends of the Earth G 12 Write out names in full Interests: Sports, reading, travel H, socialising I References: Mr. J. Fořt M Ms. F. Salová 13 Redundant* information Head of Museology Dept. Manager Faculty of Arts, MU Brno Lake Café Brno, 600 00 Jedovnice, 634 12 Task 4 What is wrong with this CV? Study the suggestions of the professional CV writer who has added notes 1-13 on the right. Locate them in the text (A-M). Task 5 – This is an improved version of the CV with the changes noted at right. Can you suggest any more improvements? Curriculum Vitae Personal Details Name: Blanka Šmídová Use bold* selectively – your name is important, Address: Svážná 6 so make sure it *stands out 600 00 Brno Czech Republic Telephone: +420 544 220 515 Include the full number and use spaces. Mobile: +420 602 123 456 E-mail: bsmidova@fss.muni.cz Date of birth: 5 August 1975 Better to have the date written in full. Nationality: Czech Education Use reverse chronological order with 1993-1998 Masaryk University Brno, Faculty of Arts the most recent information first. Master’s of Arts (magistr in Czech) in Museology State the names of degrees obtained 1989 – 1993 Gymnázium Elgartova 3, 600 00 Brno (grammar school) Maturita exam (school-leaving exam) – Czech, English, History, Geography Work Experience March 1996 to present MORAVIAN GALLERY – executive assistant to the head curator Sept. 1995 to Feb. 1996 CITY OF BRNO MUSEUM – general assistant (permanent exhibition areas) June - July 1994 LAKE CAFÉ, Jedovnice – waitress Sept. - Nov. 1993 BRNO INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR – waitress/hostess (responsible for foreign visitors) June - July 1992 CITY OF BRNO MUSEUM – volunteer Expand on your tasks, Other Qualifications and Skills responsibilities, and achievements* relevant to the job you are seeking University positions: Faculty Senate Deputy (writing of reports, giving presentations, travelling abroad) Languages: *Fluent English, *conversational French Conversational, fluent, intermediate, advanced, proficient, or working knowledge of are better expressions to use about languages and skills Computer literacy: WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, Macintosh Marketable skills are specific Interests Aerobics, volleyball, theatre, reading, travel, folk dance club Specific examples of interests & memberships can be mentioned here References Available on request Do not waste space with names and addresses. If you do want to include them, only mention *impressive references Task 6 – Using the model, write your own CV or resume*. Template for a Job-search Cover Letter Your name Your address Your city, state, postal code Your phone number Your email Date Name (Mr./Ms. first name, last name of person you are writing to) Title Organization Address City, state, postal code Opening salutation: Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position; and basic information about yourself. Second paragraph: Explain why you are interested in the employer or type of work the employer does (simply stating that you are interested does not tell why and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs. This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required for the position. Third paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephoning the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration. Closing salutation: Sincerely, Your hand-written signature Your full name typed Enclosure(s) referring to resume, references, etc. Sample Body of Cover Letter for an Arts Position Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (Opening paragraph) The description you posted for a studio assistant parallels my interests and qualifications perfectly. With my background in art and psychology, I am confident that I would make a very successful and creative studio assistant. (Second paragraph) Having worked for the non-profit organization County Arts, I have been exposed to a number of aspects of the art world. My experience as artist assistant at the Museum of Art demonstrates my capability of working with others through the creative process of production while meeting the challenges presented to me. Also, my education in psychology has allowed me to learn the nuances of people and has provided me with good investigative and analytical skills that will suit your needs for customer assistance. (Third paragraph) I would appreciate the opportunity to make a substantial contribution by exploring the business of applied art through your design firm. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss my candidacy and will call next week to see if we might arrange a time to speak. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Adapted from http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm and http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/coverart.htm Grammar – Past Simple vs. Present Perfect What is the difference between these sentences? Blanka has been a volunteer. Blanka was a volunteer from September 1995 to February 1996. What tense is used for a completed time period? What tense is used for an unfinished time period? What tense is used for specific time periods? What tense is used for experiences with no specific time period? Task 7 – Put these time expressions into two groups of either completed time or unfinished time periods. this semester in the summer on Monday this week since Tuesday two weeks ago last month at Easter Now make sentences about yourself using these expressions. Task 8 – Make these into questions. (Be careful to use the correct tense!) 1 Have / (ever) write / a work evaluation report? Example: Have you ever written a work report? 2 When / write / your first CV (in English)? 3 Have / work / outdoors? 4 How / feel / at your first job interview? 5 Have / be / a volunteer? 6 Have / be selected / for a prestigious position? 7 Have / be / unemployed? 8 How many months / work / last summer? 9 Have / apply for / a job in a foreign country? 10 Have / think about / working freelance? Ask your partner these questions. If the answer is yes, ask follow-up questions. e.g. “Have you ever had to use English in your job?” “Yes, I have.” “What was the job? What types of situations did you encounter? How did you deal with them?” Task 9 – Put the verb into the correct form (present perfect or past simple). 1 Do you know about Ann? She __________ her job. (give up) 2 My boss __________ me and now I am in charge of the whole department. (promote) 3 When Paul and Mark left school they __________ a job in a local travel agency. (apply for) 4 The job __________ doing quite a lot of paperwork, so I quit two weeks ago. (involve) 5 I __________ training workers last year, but this year I have to deal with team building. (be responsible for) 6 Do you know that he is unemployed? They __________ him. (sack) 7 Finally! They __________! What a great piece of news! (resign) 8 Meg __________ looking for a new job with a bigger company last week. (start) 9 They __________ enough of this shift work; they would like to have flexi-time. (have) 10 Pete and Steve __________ at work yesterday. I wonder why! (not be) 11 Sue ____________ five different jobs in the past four years. (have) 12 It´s the first time I __________ a notice. (hand in) 13 I never ___________ a part-time job when I studied at university. (have) Vocabulary 1. to sacrifice obětovat 2. *to seek hledat 3. *ratio poměr 4. *to be made redundant (to be laid off) být propuštěn (nadbytečný pro zaměstnavatele) 5. *redundant nadbytečný 6. *to benefit mít výhody, profitovat 7. *caring starající se o, mající zájem o 8. *interpersonal mezilidský, interpersonální 9. *punctual dochvilný 10. *diligent pilný, pracovitý 11. *conscientious svědomitý, pečlivý 12. to redress (correct) napravit 13. *to reverse obrátit 14. *startling (surprising) překvapivý 15. *to vary (to differ) lišit se 16. *to forecast (predict) předvídat 17. *obvious zřejmý, pochopitelný 18. recipient příjemce 19. *to reconsider znovu uvážit, znovu si promyslet 20. *grammar/secondary school gymnázium/střední škola 21. *exceptional výjimečný, neobyčejný, mimořádný 22. *trivial všední, obyčejný, každodenní 23. *volunteer, voluntary dobrovolník, dobrovolný 24. *trade fair veletrh 25. *casual/seasonal work příležitostná / sezónní práce 26. *full-time/part-time work práce na plný / částečný úvazek 27. *permanent work / exhibition práce na plný úvazek / stálá výstava 28. curator ředitel, kurátor, správce 29. *irrelevant bezvýznamný, irelevantní, nepatřící k věci 30. deputy zástupce 31. bold výrazný, tučný (polygr.) 32. *to stand out být viděn, vystupovat 33. *achievement dokončení, splnění, výkon 34. fluent English plynulá, dokonalá angličtina 35. conversational English hovorová angličtina 36. *prominent přední, vedoucí, prominentní 37. *impressive působivý, impozantní, imponující 38. *resume (CV) životopis 39. *temporary přechodný, dočasný Word bank 1. to have a well-paid/badly-paid job mít dobře/špatně placenou práci 2. to earn a good salary mít dobrý plat 3. to have good qualifications mít dobrou kvalifikaci 4. to get paid dostat zaplaceno 5. to have a chance of promotion mít šanci na povýšení 6. to be promoted být povýšen 7. working hours/working time pracovní doba 8. work long hours mít dlouhou pracovní dobu/dlouho pracovat 9. nine-to-five job zaměstnání v kanceláři (s tradiční pracovní dobou od 9 do 5, i když tomu tak nemusí být) 10. to do a career dělat kariéru 11. flexible working hours pohyblivá pracovní doba 12. to commute to work dojíždět do práce 13. commuter dojíždějící 14. fringe benefits zaměstnanecké výhody 15. perks zaměstnanecké výhody (hovorově) 16. job seeker člověk, který hledá zaměstnání 17. job applicant uchazeč o zaměstnání 18. to apply for a job ucházet se o zaměstnání 19. to hand in a notice dát výpověď 20. redundancy payment odstupné 21. to be fired/sacked dostat vyhazov z práce