Homework

Cover

Covering letter

Many employers will ask you to write to them or phone them for an application form and further details when they advertise jobs. Sometimes you will be asked to send your CV or resume.

Your CV or curriculum vitae lists your educational and career history and is a useful summary for an employer of all your educational and employment achievements up to the present time. You must always ensure that it is up to date.

A covering letter may then be very useful because you can enclose it with your CV or a completed application form. In your covering letter you can draw attention to particular information which you wish to highlight. Such a covering letter might look like this:

Dear Mr Sorefoot

Fashion Shop Manager

Please find enclosed my completed application form for the above position.

As you will see from my form, I have ten years experience with Bates Retail as a Fashion Shop Manager.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will be able to invite me for an interview. I can be contacted at any time by phone, fax or email at work or at home. I would very much welcome an opportunity to discuss my application in greater detail and convince you that I am the right person for the job.

Yours sincerely

Frances Slimwaist

If you have filled in an application form you do not need to send a CV because all the relevant information should be on your form.

Note that cover as verb, noun and adjective is used in a variety of different ways:

If you cover something, you place something else over it to protect it or hide it or close it:

· Always cover what you are cooking with a tight-fitting lid and cook it slowly.

· His desk is always covered with papers. I don't know how he can work in such a mess.

· She covered all her bedroom walls with posters of Eminem.

· There are always lots of cafes and restaurants within the covered shopping malls in British towns and cities.

Cover = protection

Cover can also be used to talk about protection from enemy attack or for talking about insurance.

– The air force was unable to provide any sort of air cover for their ground troops.

– There was no cover of any kind, no trees, no valleys, just the endless barren plain.

– Are you covered to drive this car? Do you have proper insurance cover?

– Does your travel insurance cover you against theft or loss of valuables?

Cover = address or report on a topic

Cover can be used to talk about studying a subject or in a journalistic context to talk about reporting.

– We haven't covered molecular biology yet. We're going to do that next term.

– He's going to cover the World Cup later this year for BBC World Service.

Cover for = substitute for someone at work

– Can you cover for me this afternoon while I visit my father in hospital?

– There were not enough teachers to cover for absent colleagues and some students had to be sent home.

Learning English BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk

Ask students to look through the following application letter example. Ask the whether it contains all necessary information?

1707 Guernsey LaneAustin, TX 787596 June 1997 John G. HollowayBrackenridge Hospital4505 W. Tom Thumb Ave.Austin, TX 78703 Dear Mr. Holloway: I am writing in response to your classified ad in the Austin-American Statesman for Assistant Director of Materials Management. Based on my experience and continuing education, I believe that I am qualified to fill this position. For the past four years, I have been employed in the materials divisions with two different manufacturing companies, XETEL Corporation and Fisher Controls International. My experience there has ranged from controlling, buying, analyzing, to planning materials. Currently, I am attending night school at Austin Community College where I lack only nine hours to complete my Associate Degree in Business Administration. When I complete this degree, I hope to return to St. Edward's University to complete my course work for a degree in Technical Business. Brackenridge Hospital and the Children's Hospital supply such a vital service to the Travis county area that I would be proud to be a part of your team. I hope to get a chance to discuss my qualifications and goals with you. I can be reached at [phone] after 5 p.m. Sincerely yours, John M. Owens Encl.: resume

This information is owned and maintained by David A. McMurrey.

Ask students to select the correct words in the brackets so that this covering letter is in good English.

Dear Mr Saleh,

I am writing to apply for the position of Editorial Assistant which was advertised in the latest edition of Gulf News.

I am currently employed by a Market Research company as a research assistant, but am keen to pursue a career in publishing, because I enjoy reading and write my own poetry.

As you will notice on the attached CV, I graduated in European Literature. At University I gained considerable experience working on the student magazine, so I am familiar with editing techniques. I work well under pressure and enjoy working in a team. In addition, I speak English fluently.

I would be available for interview from next week. Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

BBC Learning English

http://www.bbc.co.uk

Here are some common phrases you might use when applying for a job. However, the prepositions are missing – ask students to type out the correct ones choosing words from the table below.

to

of

under

in

for

I would like to apply for

the position of

If you would like to discuss this in

more detail

I enjoy working under

pressure

I was in

charge of

I was responsible for

With reference to

Writing practice (writing CVs and letters of application)

Students have researched how to write a resume (CV) and letter of application.

Ask students to look through examples once more and to think about what they should include in their resume and letter of application.

Then ask them to write a resume and a letter of application of their own. They should edit their work for any mistakes and have their partner edit their resume and letter of application, too. Finally, they should write the final drafts of their resume and letter of application.

Give students 15 minutes for preparation:

You have read in press about the vacancy for a chief manager.

You are now battling your way to the top of your career ladder. This vacancy is an excellent opportunity for you.

You should write a CV and a letter of application paying attention to the discussed rules. Try to interest your future employer.

Ask students to perform their CVs and letters of application to the class. Choose several students for performing.

In this task you can assess writing skills and usage of vocabulary and grammar of the section.

Speaking practice (group discussion)

Ask students to work in groups. Give them 15 minutes for preparation.

Finding a job is not an easy task! However, learning the skills now will allow you greater opportunities to access the career of your dreams. It is time to begin dreaming, evaluating, and considering possible career choices which take careful consideration.

Working in groups, you are going to identify your personal career interests and research a career from the provided list. With this information you will:

– Identify your career interest

– Research one of the careers (given below)

– Create a job description

– Present information to the class

Select a career from the following list.

1. Television or Newspaper Reporter

2. Member of the Armed Services

3. Nursing

4. Teacher

5. Lawyer

6. Computer Technician/Webmaster

7. Law Enforcement

8. Travel Agent

9. Chef

Discuss what career to choose and prove to your partners that you are right and the present your conclusion to the class.

A list may be supplemented with other careers.

In this task you can assess speaking skills and usage of vocabulary and grammar of the section.

Final lexical-grammatical test

- Ask students to complete the sentences with I’ll + a suitable verb.

1. I’m too tired to walk home. I think I’ll get a taxi.

2. “It’s a bit cold in this room.” “Is it? I’ll switch on the heating then.”

3. “We haven’t got any milk.” “Oh, haven’t we? I’ll go and get some.”

4. “Do you want me to do the washing-up?” “No, it’s all right. I’ll do it.”

5. “I don’t know how to use this computer.” “OK, I’ll show you.”

6. “Would you like tea or coffee?” “I’ll have coffee, please.”

7. “Goodbye? Have a nice holiday.” “Thanks. I’ll send you a postcard.”

8. Thank you for lending me your camera. I’ll give it back to you on Monday.

9. “Are you coming with us?” “No, I think I’ll stay here.”

- What do you say in these situations? Ask students to write sentences with shall I ….? or shall we …?

1. You and a friend want to do something this evening but you don’t know what. You ask your friend. What shall we do this evening?

2. You try on a jacket in a shop. You are not sure whether to buy it or not. You ask a friend for advice. Shall I buy it?

3. It’s Ann’s birthday next week. You want to give her a present but you don’t know what. You ask a friend for advice. What shall I give Ann?

4. You and a friend are going on holiday together but you haven’t decided where. You ask him/her. Where shall we go?

5. You and a friend are going out. You haven’t decided whether to go by car or to walk. You ask him/her. Shall we go by car or walk?

6. Your friend wants you to phone later. You don’t know what time to phone. You ask him/her. What time shall I phone you?

- Which is right?

1. We’re going to the theatre tonight. We’ve got tickets.

2. What are you doing tomorrow evening?

3. They’re going away tomorrow morning. Their train is at 8.40.

4. I’m sure she’ll lend us some money.

5. “Why are you putting on your coat?” “ I’m going out.”

6. Do you think Claire will phone us tonight?

7. Steve can’t meet us on Saturday. He’s working.

8. Will you be at home tomorrow evening?

- Ask students to write terms to the following definitions:

1. a short descriptive summary; USA and Canadian another name for curriculum vitae (resume)

2. to put in an application or request (to apply for)

3. the person who asks the questions in an interview (interviewer)

4. a letter in which you are told, for example, that you have not been accepted for a job (rejection letter)

5. tasks that are part of your job (duties)

6. a person, business, firm, etc., that employs workers (employer)

7. a person's social class, education, training, or experience (background)

8. to do more than one piece of work at a time (to multi-task)

9. jobs that no-one is doing that someone is needed to do (vacancies)

10. a profession or occupation chosen as one's life's work (career)

11. an arrangement to meet a person or be at a place at a certain time (appointment)

12. a form that you fill out when trying to get a job (application)

Ask students to prepare the following task.

MY FUTURE CAREER

Introduction

There are hundreds and hundreds of careers to choose from. How do you understand which careers you might like to try? It takes some thought, creativity and research. In the following problem-based task you will have the opportunity to learn about yourself and the world that surrounds you.

The Task

Learn about yourself. Research a career field and make a presentation to your group-mates.

You should find what work is interesting to you, what abilities you have and what's important to you in a job. After analyzing this, choose one career that you want to learn more about. For this career, find the answers to these questions:

– What do you do in this job? What is a typical day like?

– What skills are necessary?

– What training and/or education are required?

– What kinds of job opportunities exist? What is the employment outlook?

– What is the average salary? How much can you expect to earn?

– Describe the work conditions (indoor/outdoor, travel required, work with people or machines, etc.)

Describe how the above information relates to you personally:

Do you feel you have the skills needed or could learn them? Is the training/education required consistent with your future plans? Will the salary and work conditions support the kind of life style you envision for yourself?

Imagine yourself in the career you researched. Prepare a presentation that will illustrate your career to the class. Include in your presentation what employment trends may affect your business or field. It can include imaginary:

– resumes

– brochure or ad selling your company's services

– a web page or Power Point presentation

Resources recommended

– Career Assessment Tools - http://www.jobweb.org/Catapult/Assess.htm

– Career Planning Site on the Mining Company - http://careerplanning.about.com/mlibrary.htm?PM=61_707_T&cob=home

Process

One fourth of your grade will be on your use of references. You are required to use a minimum of 3 to 5 different sources of information to do your career research.

1. Find and take at least 2 different career interest surveys. Analyze the results and summarize. What general career clusters predominated (i.e. scientific, social services, management, clerical, etc.)? What skills or abilities were suggested? What did the surveys tell you about your personality traits and work values? Based on the careers suggested by the interest inventories, choose one to investigate further.

2. Picture yourself in the future employed in the career that you researched. Prepare a presentation to explain your career to the class. As part of your presentation, include an assessment of how employment trends will affect your career field.

Evaluation

This assignment is worth 5 points. Points will be awarded as follows:

1 point – language (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation)

1 point – references

1 point – career information (did you answer all the questions)

1 point – creativity, effort and neatness of presentation

1 point – delivery

Conclusion

Successful career planning requires knowledge about the many careers that exist in today's world and insight into what your interests, abilities, and work values are. The more you know about the world around you and about world within you, the easier it will be to make wise choices about your future.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-23