J ob Search

Unscramble each of the clue words.

Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.

Read the secret message!

Exercise 3. Applying for a job

Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.

references short-list experience vacancy qualifications application forms interview applicants apply fill in

In times of high unemployment there are usually very many (a)_______ when a (b)_______ is advertised. Sometimes large numbers of people (c)_______, and send off (d)_______ for a single job. It is not unusual, in fact, for hundreds of people to (e)_______ to a firm for one post. This number is reduced to a (f)_______ of perhaps six or eight, from whom a final choice is made when they all attend an (g)_______. Very possibly the people interviewing will be interested in the (h)_______ the candidates gained at school or university and what (i)_______ they have had in previous jobs. They will probably ask for (j)_______ written by the candidates' teachers and employers.

Exercise 4. Choosing the right job

Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.

commute salary prospects promotion retire ambitious perks increments commission pension

Job satisfaction is important but I have a wife and baby so I have to think about money too. If a job interests me, I need to know what (a)_______ it offers and also whether there are regular annual increases, called (b)_______. I want to know if I will receive a (c)_______ when I (d)_______ at the age of 60 or 65. If the job is selling a product, I ask if I'll receive a percentage of the value of what I sell, called (e)_______. It is also important to know if there are extra advantages, like free meals or transport, or the free use of a car. These are called (f)_______ or fringe benefits. Are the future (g)_______ good? For example, is there a good chance of (h)_______ to a better job, with more money and responsibility? Is the job near my home? If it isn't, I'll have to (i)_______ every day and this can be expensive. I am very keen to be successful. I am very (j)_______. I don't want to stay in the same job all my life.

Exercise 5. Where to look

You've decided you need a new job. Where do you start to look? What kinds of resources are available? Who are the best people to talk to?

The following text gives some suggestions which you might find helpful. But the sentences are not complete. Test your knowledge of the language of jobs by choosing the correct noun to fill the gaps.

Most jobs are advertised as current (position; application; vacancies). They appear in the local and national (press; bodies; resource), trade (contacts; journals; resource), and specialist career publications. In addition, many professional (bodies; contacts; agency) offer an appointments service which can help job seekers find a suitable (position; application; vacancies) in a particular (industry; ladder; schemes). Recruitment (bodies; contacts; agencies) hold details of a wide range of vacancies, and possibly local training (industry; ladder; schemes). The Internet is a valuable (press; journals; resource) – not only for vacancies but to find background information on companies.

Approximately one third of jobs is never advertised, but may be found by approaching a company directly. This is called a speculative (position; application; vacancies), and is common among students starting at the bottom of the career (industry; ladder; schemes).

Finally, don't forget to use your personal (bodies; contacts; agencies).