Application forms

Read the text and discuss it in your group.

Text 1.

UNIT 1

APPLYING FOR A JOB

Active vocabulary:

1.	to be worthy of smth.	бути вартим чогось
2.	to be suitable	підходити
3.	to require	вимагати
4.	applicant	кандидат
5.	to justify the role	виправдати роль
6.	provided information	надана інформація
7.	to leave out smth.	пропустити щось
8.	to set out information	розташувати інформацію
9.	to discuss the motives	обговорити мотиви
10.	to feеl confident	почуватися впевнено
11.	to minimize embarrassment	зменшити труднощі
12.	inadequate accommodation	невідповідне приміщення
13.	primary means	основний засіб
14.	to obtain information	отримувати інформацію
15.	to reflect on smth.	замислитися над чимось
16.	to direct the interview	спрямувати співбесіду
17.	to get off the point	відійти від теми
18.	to achieve the objectives	досягти мети
19.	to keep an eye on the time	слідкувати за часом
20.	to assess the personal qualities	оцінити особисті якості

An application form or a letter of application tells an organization whether or not an applicant is worthy of an interview or a test of some kind. This initial information constitutes the bedrock of the selection process, i.e. prima facie evidence of an applicant’s suitability or unsuitability for the position in question. An applicant who is deemed suitable then becomes a candidate for an interview. Many organizations require applicants to write a cover letter explaining why they are interested in the vacant post and how they propose to justify the role they think they could play in it. This approach enables the organization to see how well applicants can argue a case for themselves in a letter, but it has a disadvantage that the information provided is controlled by the applicant – he can leave out points which may not help his case and build on those which do. Thus most organizations prefer to design their own application forms, so as to require applicants to set out the information about them in a standardized way.

Application forms vary considerably in the way they are set out. Some, for example, as in Figure 1, require prospective candidates to answer routine questions in a form that gives them no opportunity to discuss their motives for applying or to talk about themselves in a general way. Others, as in Figure 2, are very open-ended in their format and require applicants to expand at some length on them and on how they see the job. In between the two forms illustrated there are several compromise versions which aim to establish some kind of balance between closed and open questions. The answers to the closed questions supply the organization with routine information in a standardized form; the answers to the open questions provide a clue to the motives, personality and communication skills of the applicants.

Post applied for:

Surname: First name: Address: Telephone No.: Date of birth: Place of birth: Marital status: Children:

Education: Exams passed: School: College: University: Training: Course Attended/Qualifications Obtained:

Work experience: Present Post (title, length of service, current salary): Previous Posts Held: Employer: Job Title: Dates: Reasons for Leaving:

Interests/Hobbies:

References: 1. 2.

Signed: Date:

Figure 1. Form to obtain routine information.

Post applied for:

Surname: First name: Address: Telephone No.: Date of birth: Marital status:

Details of Examinations Passed/Qualifications Obtained:

Current Post:

Last Three Posts (starting with the latest):

What attracts you to this post?

How do you think you can contribute to the post?

What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your current or previous employment?

How do you see your career developing over the next ten years or so?

How soon could you start work if appointed?

Please supply the names of two persons who could speak on your behalf.

Signed: Date:

Figure 2. Open-ended application form.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-26