English for Job Preparation Page | 1
UNIT 1
Reading Job Advertisement
(source: http://fortuneaskannie.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/job_ad_buzzwords.jpg)
Learning Outcomes:
- Students understand what parts of the job ads.
- Students are able to read job ads.
Reading a job advertisement or job ads is one important step for a job seeker to get a
desired job. If the job seeker does not carefully read the ads, it may lead to misunderstanding
or even disappointment. Usually, from the job ads, the job seekers will learn much
information about the job and its description and requirements as well as that about the
company. That information will help the job seekers evaluate themselves whether their skills
and qualifications fit the job requirements or not; or whether the conditions and values of the
company interests them or not.
A. Parts of a Job Advertisement
When you read a job ads, first thing first is find these essential parts of the ads:
1. Kind of jobs being offered/positions.
2. Job description: responsibilities
3. Company information such as its products/services, career development, working
environment (formal, casual, flexible hour, team work)
4. Requirements: working experience, education, certification, soft skills (time
English for Job Preparation Page | 2 5. Procedures of how to apply: via email or post and subjected to whom
(HRD/Director/Manager,…)
6. Additional info about the company: mailing addresses (company address or email
address), fax #, phone #, and website.
B. Questions to Ask Yourself after Reading the Job Ads.
After that begin questioning yourself about the ads by doing the following:
1. Identify the advertiser.
Is it the company doing the hiring? Have they outsourced to a recruitment firm?
2. Note the company.
Do you know the company? How big is it? Have you heard of it? What kind of
reputation does it have?
3. Review the job title.
If it says “programmer”, do the job duties really fit with that? Are the duties clearly understood?
4. Determine what they’re looking for.
What qualifications do they seek?
Please note that phrases like “you must have” or “you need” suggest that the requirement
is definite. Whereas, words like “preferably”, “preferred”, “ideally” or “desired” suggest
some flexibility.
5. Pay attention to special instructions, such as “No phone calls”, “Apply byemail”, “Include a handwritten cover letter”, “Include three samples of your previous work – submit as PDFs”.
English for Job Preparation Page | 3
Exercise 1a: Find any job ads at the newspaper or websites (write also the source where
you get them such as the name of the newspaper and the website address). Choose one
that suits you and fill in the information below:
Source of the ads
Kind of job being offered
Job description
Requirements
Procedures of how to apply
Company information
Additional info about the
company
Exercise 1b: After that think why you would fit the requirements and qualifications of the
job. Write your reasons on the following space.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Exercise 1c: Read the following job advertisements carefully.
a) Needed: Full time secretary position available. Applicants should have at least 2 years experience and be able to
type 60 words a minute. No computer skills required. Apply in person at United Business Ltd., 17 Browning Street.
b) Are you looking for a part time job? We require 3 part time shop assistants to work during the evening. No
experience required, applicants should between 18 and 26. Call 366 - 76564 for more information.
c) Computer trained secretaries: Do you have experience working with computers? Would you like a full time
position working in an exciting new company? If your answer is yes, give us a call at 565-987-7832.
d) Teacher Needed: Tommy's Kindergarten needs 2 teacher/trainers to help with classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Applicants should have appropriate licenses. For more information visit Tommy's Kindergarten in Leicester
Square No. 56.
e) Part Time work available: We are looking for retired adults who would like to work part time at the weekend.
Responsibilities include answering the telephone and giving customer's information. For more information
contact us by calling 897-980-7654.
f) University positions open: The University of Cumberland is looking for 4 teaching assistants to help with
homework correction. Applicants should have a degree in one of the following: Political Science, Religion,
Economics or History. Please contact the University of Cumberland for more information.
Which position is best for these people? Choose ONLY ONE position for each person.
1. Jane Madison. Jane recently retired and is looking for a part time position. She would
like to work with people and enjoys public relation work.
English for Job Preparation Page | 5 2. Jack Anderson. Jack graduated from the University of Trent with a degree in Economics
two years ago. He would like an academic position.
The best job for Jack is _____
3. Margaret Lillian. Margaret is 21 years old and would like a part time position to help her
pay her university expenses. She can only work in the evenings.
The best job for Margaret is _____
4. Alice Fingelhamm. Alice was trained as a secretary and has six years of experience. She
is an excellent typist but does not know how to use a computer. She is looking for a full
time position.
The best job for Alice is _____
5. Peter Florian. Peter went to business school and studied computer and secretarial skills.
He is looking for his first job and would like a full time position.
The best job for Peter is _____
6. Vincent van Bosch. Vincent loves working with children and has an education license
from the city of Birmingham. He would like to work with young children.
The best job for Vincent is _____
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Exercise 1d: Read the two job advertisements below and answer the following questions:
1. For which job is a university degree essential?
2. Which job places more emphasis on being flexible and adaptable?
3. Which job offers a higher salary?
4. What should you do if you wish to apply for the Media Assistant position?
5. How will you know if Media X is interested in your application?
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Exercise 1e: Read the following extracts from job advertisements. Complete the gaps using
the words below, then match each extract (1-10) to a sentence (a-j)
.
.
a. If you get the job, you will be well looked-after by the company. b. If you have applied for the same job before, please do not reapply. c. Here are some of the duties.
d. If you would like to talk about the job in more detail, please contact…
e. The money you will earn will vary depending on what you have done in the past. f. You can apply even if you have never done this job before.
g. You will be well rewarded financially. h. There are jobs with various hours available. i. You don’t need to go to work every day.
j. Good annual leave entitlement is one of the perks of the job.
(source: http://www.englishbanana.com/)
conditions home part time exp dependent benefits applicants pay discussion role
6. Your ___ will include… 2. Previous _______ need to
3. Excellent terms and ______.
5. Excellent _________
include 25 days’ paid
holiday.
7. Good rates of ______.
10. Full and ________ Vacancies
8. Starting salary ___________
on experience
1. Work from _____.
9. ____ preferred but not essential.
